UC-NRLF 


GIFT  OF 
U.C.  Lambda  Chapter 

PHI  DELTA  KAPPA 


EDUCATION  Dfefl. 


PREMIUM    HISTORY. 


HISTORY 


UNITED  STATES, 


FROM   THEIR 

ITRST  SETTLEMENT  AS  COLONIES, 

TO   THE 

CJLOSK  OF  THE  WAR  WITH  GREAT  BRITAIN 

IN  1815. 

TO    WHICH    ARE    ADDED 

QUESTIONS, 

ADAPTED  TO  TH£  USE  OF  SCHOOLS. 

•""Civ'tus,  incredibile  meniorutu  est,  adepta  libertate,  quantum  brevi  crevcrit."     Sul. 


NEW  YORX : 
COLLINS,    KEESE   &   CO. 

254,  Pearl  Street. 

1839. 

\\ 


U+H   4/4f*4 

Southern  District  of  New- York,  ss. 

BE  IT  REiMEMBERED,  That  on  the  £>d  day  of  August,  in 
the  50th  year  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
Charles  Wiley,  of  the  said  District,  hath  deposited  in  this  office  the 
title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof  he  claims  as  proprietor,  in  the 
words  following  to  wit : 

History  of  the  United  States,  from  their  First  Settlement  as  Co 
lonies,  to  the  close  of  the  War  with  Great  Britain,  in  1815. 

"  Civitas,  incredibile  memoratu  est,  adepta  libertate,  quantum 
brevi  cre\erit." — Sa/htst. 

In  ccnforrnity  to  the  Act  of  the  Congress;  of  the  United  States, 
entitled  "  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  Learning,  by  securing  the 
copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the  'Authors  and  Proprietors 
of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned:"  and  also  to 
an  Act,  entitled,  "  An  Act,  supplementary  to  an  Act,  entitled  an  Act 
for  the  encouragement,  of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps, 
Charts,  and  Books,  to  the  Authors  and  Proprietors  of  such  copies, 
during  the  times  therein  mentioned,  and  extending  the  benefits 
thereof  to  the  arts  of  designing,  engraving,  and  etching  historical 
aud  other  prints."  JAMES  DILL, 

Clerk  of  the  Southern  District  of  New-York. 


t^MMGfci  UbKAKY  Or   tUUCATK 
UNiViERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
BERKELEY. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  American  Academy  of  Language 
and  Belles  Lettres,  held  at  the  City  Hall,  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  October  20,  1820,-— Hon.  Brockholst  Livingston, 
First  Vice  President,  in  the  chair ;  Rev.  John  B.  Romeyn, 
D.  D.  Clerk, — the  following  preamble  and  resolution,  offeree 
by  W.  S.  Cardell,  Esq.,  seconded  by  the  Rev.  Doctor  Wain- 
wright,  were  unanimously  adopted  : — 

As  the  proper  education  of  youth  is,  in  all  commtmitiep, 
closely  connected  with  national  prosperity  and  honor;  and 
as  it  is  particularly  important  in  the  United  States,  that  the 
rising  generation  should  possess  a  correct  knowledge  of  their 
own  country,  and  a  patriotic  attachment  to  its  welfare  $— 

RESOLVED,  that  a  premium  of  not  less  than  four  hundred 
dollars,  and  a  gold  medal  worth  fifty  dollars,  be  given  to  the 
author,  being  an  American  citizen,  who,  within  two  years 
shall  produce  the  best  written  history  of  the  United  States, 
and  which,  with  sucti  history,  shall  contain  a  suitable  expo 
sition  of  the  situation,  character,  and  interests,  absolute  and 
relative,  of  the  American  republic ;  calculated  for  a  class- 
book  in  academies  and  schools.  This  work  is  to  be  exam 
ined  and  approved  by  a  committee  of  the  institution,  in  refer 
caice  to  the  interest  of  its  matter,  the  justness  of  its  facts  and 
principles,  the  purity,  perspicuity,  and  elegance  of  its  style, 
and  its  adaptation  to  its  intended  purpose. 

By  order  of  the  Academy, 

ALEX.  McLEOU,  fcec'g  Scc'ry. 

The  undersigned,  being  appointed  a  committee  with  full 
powers  to  examine  the  several  works  submitted,  and  award 
the  medal  and  premium,  in  pursuance  of  the  above  resolu 
tion,  having  perused  four  books,  offered  by  different  authors, 
according  to  the  conditions  required,  have  selected  one  as 
being  the  best  of  the  four;  and  after  referring  it  to  its  author 
for  such  minor  corrections  as  might  render  it  more  accept-  i 
able  to  the  public,  do  now  finally  adjudge  said  medal  nnd 
premium  to  be  due  to  the  writer  of  the  work  recently  printed, 
entitled, 

"A  HISTORY  of  the  UNITED  STATES,  from  their  First  Set 
tlement  as  Colonies,  to  the  Close  of  the  War  with  Great 
Britain,  in  1815. 

'Civitas,   incredibUe    memoratu   cat,   adepta   libertate,  quantum   brcvi 

WM.  P.  VAN  NFSS,) 

ALKX'R  McLEOU,     >  Committee 

JACOB  MORTON,      ) 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Introduction        ....  -  7 

History  of  Virginia  ....       15 

Massachusetts         -  -  -  26 

New  Hampshire     -  -  -  55 

Connecticut        .....          59 
Rhode  Island          -  -  -  •.  .66 

New  York 68 

New  Jersey  -  -  -    *  .-84 

Delaware  -  -  •  .          67 

Pennsylvania,         -  -  -  •  .89 

Maryland  .....          93 

North  Carolina      -  -  -  .  9tf 

South  Carolina  ....         UK) 

Georgia     ......     105 

French  War  of  1756-63  .  -  .         110 

Revolution    -  -  -  -  -     126 

Revolution          .....         139 

Expedition  against  Canada  -  159 

Campaign  of  1776  ....         169 

Campaign  of  1777  ....     179 

Campaign  of  1778  ....        189 

Campaign  of  1779  ....     194 

Campaign  of  1780  -  -         198' 

Campaign  of  1781,  and  Termination  of  the  War     -     20S 
Adoption  of  the  Constitution,  and  Washington's  Ad 
ministration  -  -         218 
Mr.  Adams's,  Mr.  Jefferson's,  and  part  of  Mr.  Madi 
son's  Administration — Decoration  of  War         -     237 
Campaign  of  1812          -            -            -  .        25ft 
Campaign  of  1813              ....     259 

Campaign  of  181.4 — Conclusion  of  the  War       -        272 
Appendix  .....    284 


PREFACE. 


THE  following  work  was  -begun  many  years  since :  the 
appearance,  soon  after,  of  several  books,  on  .a  plan  nearly 
similar,  and  the  want  of  sufficient,  leisure,  induced  the 
Author  to  relinquish  his  design.  Perceiving,  from  the 
.subsequent  offer  of  a  premium  for  the  best  written  work 
of  the  kind,  that  another  was  wanted,  he  resumed  and 
completed  his  undertaking. 

It  was  his  .purpose  to  present  a  correct  and  interesting 
•narrative  of  all  the  important  events  in  the  history  of  his 
country :;  to  exhibit,  in  a  strong  light,  the  principles  of 
political  and  religious  freedom  which  our  forefathers  pro 
fessed,  and  for  which  they  fought  &nd  conquered ;  to  record 
the  numerous  examples  of  fortitude,  courage,  and  patriot- 
asm,  which  have  rendered  them  illustrious;  and  to  produce, 
<not  so  much  by  moral  reflections,  as  by  the  tenor  of  the, 
'narrative,  virtuous  and  patriotic  impressions  upon  the 
mind  -of  .the  reader.  It  was  his  aim  to  render  the  book 
•worthy  to  be  read,  not  only  in  the  -academies  and  schools 
•of  his  ooimtry,  but  by  that  very  numerous  portion  of  his 
fellow  citizens,  who  have  seldom  the  opportunity  to  pe- 
aruse  more  voluminous  productions ;  and  :by  those  who 
might  wish  to  review  their  studies,  and  fix  in  their 
memory  the  succession  <sf  events ;  and  it  was  also  his  aim 
to  exhibit  &  style  which  should  be  -correct  and  pure ; 
-should  foe  free  from  ambitious  ornament,  and  from  those 
faults  with  which  the  writers  of  this  country  have  been 
too  justly  charged,  lie  by  no  moans  s^pjrases  that  he  has 
accomplished  all  he  aimed  at. 

It  was  thought  indispensable  that  a  Ifeistory,  intended  to 
foe  accessible  to  all,  should  contain  some  account  of  the 
states  <of  the  <imion  ;  in  order  that  many  preju 
1* 


6  PREFACE, 

dices,  tbe  offspring'  of  ignorance,  might  be  removed1 ,.  avii$ 
that  the  injurious  effects,  which  must  flow  from  an  ac 
quaintance  with  the  history  of  a  single  state  only,  might 
be  avoided.  It  was  the  correct  remark  of  an  able  writer; 
that  the  history  of  colonies  generally  affords  hut  two  in 
teresting  erasr  that  of  their  settlement,,  and  that  of  theh 
independence.  To  both  ©f  these  the  author  has  more 
particularly  directed,  his  attention. 

Let  those  who  imagine  that  no  book  can  do-  good  that 
is  not  a  great  book,  consider  that  every  American  should 
be  acquainted  with  the  history  of  his  country,,  and  that  a. 
voluminous  history  would  not  be  read,  by  one  twentieth 
part  of  the  population;  that,  on  most  minds,  the  same  or 
even  stronger  impressions  would  be  made  by  a  work  well 
written  on  trie  plan  of  this,  than  by  a  minute*  and  of 
c^",rfe  often  tedious,  detail  of  every  event ;  that  the  peru 
sal  of  such  a  work,  in  early  life* must  excite  rather  than, 
gratify  curiosity  ;  that  muchr  very  much  good  would  be 
done,  should1  a  knowledge  of  the  important  events  be- 
communicated,  and  correct  impressions-  be  given,  to  those 
who  would  otherwise  remain  entirely  ignorant ;  and  that.,, 
in  fact,  this  book  contains  more  than  many  an  octavo  of 
high  price. 

But  while  it  is  Important  that  no  American  citizen 
should  be  ignorant  of  the  principal  events  in  the  history  of 
his  country,  it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of  all,  who-  can 
enjoy  the  opportunity,,  to  read' and  to  study  the  larger  and 
more  particular  hisf cries  which  have  been  published. 

There  is  little  danger  that  this  small'  and  favored  class* 
will  neglect  this  duty  The  danger  is  greater,  that  much 
tfre  most  numerous  portion  of  the  population — that,  portion- 
in  whose  hand's  are  the  destinies  of  the  republic — would 
read  nothing  oa  the  subject  should  expensive  works 
be  published: 


HISTORY 


UNITED    STATES, 


INTRODUCTION 

THE  continent  of  America  was  probably  unknown  to  tho 
ancients.  If  once  known,  as  some  have  supposed,  to  the 
Carthaginians,  the  Scandinavians,  and  the  iWelch,  all  know, 
ledge  of  it  was  afterwards  lost.  Tho  discovery  of  this  ex* 
tensive  region,  constituting  nearly  one  half  of  the  habitablo 
globe,  was  the  accidental  result  of  the  attempts,  made  in  the 
fifteenth  century,  to  find  a  passage,  by  sea,  from  the  ports  of 
Europe  to  the  East  Indies,  whose  precious  commodities 
were  then  transported,  over  land,  by  a  long,  dangerous,  and 
expensive  route. 

2.  This  passage  was  universally  sought  by  s.iiling  south, 
along  the  western  coasts  of  Europe  and  Africa,  in  the  hope 
of  finding  the  termination  of  the  continent,  when  the  Indies, 
it  was  supposed,  might  be  attained,  by  taking   at   first   an 
easterly  and  then  a  northerly  course.     The  discovery  of  the 
Capo  of  Good  Mope,  in  1487,  encouraged  expectation,  and 
gave  increased  activity  to  the  spirit  of  adventure. 

3.  Among  tho   navigators  of  that  age,  Christopher  Co 
lumbus,  a  native  of  the  republic  of  Genoa,  was  distinguished 
for   experience   and    skill    in    his   profession,   for  extensive 
knowledge,  and  for  a  bold  and  original  genius.     The  shape 
of  the   earth,  then    known  to  be  round,  and  the  fact  that 
pieces  of  carved  wood,  a  canoe,  and  two  human  bodies,  of  a 
complexion  different  from  that  of  Europeans,  had  been  driven, 
by  long  westerly  winds,  upon  the  shores  of  islands  contiguous 
to  Europe,  suggested  to  his  observing  mind  the  project  of 
seeking  the  East  Indies  by  sailing  directly  west. 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

4.  Unable    to  defray  the 'expenses  of  an  expedition,  ho 
Bought  first  the  assistance  of  his  native  city.     His  country 
men,  accustomed  only  to  cruising,  in  frail  vessels,  along  the 
shores  of  the  continent,  treated  the  project  as  chimerical, 
and  declined  furnishing  aid.     A  pressing  application  to  the 
king  of  Portugal,  in  whose  dominions  he  had  resided,  met 
likewise  with  ridicule  and  rejection.     Persevering  in  his  pur 
pose,  he  then  sent  his  brother,  Bartholomew,  to  England,  to 
apply  to  Henry  VII.,  and  went  himself  to  Spain,  which  was 
then  governed  by  Ferdinand  and  Isabella,  from  whom  he 
solicited  assistance. 

5.  J^or  a  long  time  he  solicited  in  vain.     At  length  the 
qaeru..  persuaded   by  his  representations,  became  his  friend 
and    patron.    -By  ii  -.1    directions,  three   small   vessels  were 
fitted  out,  and  hs  wns  authorized  to  sail  with  these  upon  his 
propped  voyag-b   of  discovery.     On   the   third   of  August, 
i43^.  ha  dopv'.rted'froiu  P-ilor,  in  Spain,  directing  his  course 
towards  the  Canary  Islands. 

6.  He  stopped  there  to  refit,  and,  on  the  sixth  of  Sep^ 
tember,  boldly  adventured  into  seas  which  no  vessel  had  yet 
entered,  with  no  chart  to  direct  him,  no  guide  but  his  com- 
pass,  and  without  any  knowledge  of  the  tides  or  currents 
which  might  interrupt  his  course.     lie  moved  rapidly  before 
the  trade  wind,   which   blows  invariably  from  the   east  to 
the  west  between  the  tropics,  judiciously  concealing  from 
his  ignorant  and  timid  crews  the  progress  lie  made,  lest  they 
might   be  alarmed  at  the   speed  with  which   they  receded 
from  home. 

7.  About  the   fourteenth   of  September,   he  was  distant 
nearly  six  hundred  miles  from  the  most  westerly  of  the  Ca 
naries  ;  and  hero  the  magnetic  needle  was  observed  to  vary 
from  its  direction  to  the  polar  star,  and  incline  towards  tho 
west;  an   appearance   which,   although  now   familiar,   had 
never  before  been  observed. 

S.  Columbus  and  his  companions  were  alarmed.  They 
were  far  from  land,  and  far  from  the  tracks  of  other  navigat 
ors.  All  before  and  around  them  wras  unknown,  and  their 
only  guide  seemed  to  be  no  longer  entitled  to  their  confi 
dence.  But  although  alarmed,  Columbus  lost  not  his  pre 
sence  of  mind.  He  assigned  a  reason  for  the  variation, 
which,  without  satisfying  himself,  silenced  the  murmurs  of 
his  companions, 

9.  But  the  interval  of  quiet  and  subordination  was  short. 
Disaffection  soon  reappeared  among  the  ignorant  and  waver 
ing,  and,  gradually  spreading,  at  length  pervaded  the  whole 


INTRODUCTION.  0 

squadron.  TliQ  men  blamed  their  sovereign  for  listening  ta 
the  schemes  of  a  dreaming  adventurer.  The  indications  of 
land  had  all  proved  fallacious.  They  would  be  amused  and 
deceived  no  longer.  They  agreed  that  Columbus  should 
be  forced  to  relinquish  an  undertaking  which  seemed  to 
promise  nothing  hut  destruction  ;  and  some  of  tho  more  jjr- 
daring  talked  of  throwing  him  into  the  sea,  as  a  visionary 
projector,  whose  death  would  cause  no  regret,  and  produce 
no  inquiry. 

10.  Amidst  these  difficulties, v-^Columbus  displayed  tho.-ee 
traits  of  character  which  proved  the  greatness  of  his  min.l, 
a.nd  his  peculiar  fitness  for  the  arduous  duties  of  his  statioii. 
Ho  appeared!  with  a  steady  and  cheerful  countenance,  as  if 
satisfied  wit) i  what  ho  had  done*     Sometimes  he  sootiied  lu« 
companions  by  holding  oat  to  them  a  prospect  of  riches  and 
of  fame,  and  by  offering  a  gratuity  to  him  who  should  first 
discover  land.     Sometimes  he  assumed  a  tone  of  authority, 
threatening  them  with  the  vengeance  of  their  sovereign,  an-.i 
everlasting  infamy,  should  they  compel  him  to  abandon  ths 
undertaking. 

11.  These  encouragements  and  threats  prevented  open  an-1 
forcible  resistance  to  his  authority.    Meanwhile  the  sqaa.dro.i 
proceeded  onward;  the  indications  of  land  had  become  fre 
quent,  and  convinced  him  that  it  could  not  1)?.  f.ir  distant. 
Bat  his  crow  were  unconvinced,  and  their  discontent  in 
creased.     Assembling  tunmltuou«ly  on  deck,  they  demanded 
to  be  conducted  back  to  Spain.     As  a  last  expedient,  he  pro 
posed  that  they  should  continue  on  their  course  three  days 
longer,  and  if,  in  that  time,  land  should  not  be  discovered, 
ho  would  then  comply  with  their  demand. 

12.  They  consented.     Before  the  time  expired,  Columbur, 
on  the  11th  of  October,  at  midnight,  saw  a.  light  glimmer 
ing  ai  a  distance.     "A  light!  a  light!"  \vrai;  the  joyful  ej- 
cl  inflation,  which  instantly  resounded  through  the  squadron, 
On  the  approach  of  morning,  all  hands  stood  gazing  v. \tentl / 
in  the  direction  where  land,  it  was  expected, 'would  be  dis 
covered.  ^ 

13.  Soon,  on  board  tho  Pinta,  the  most  forward  vessel, 
was  heard  tho  cry  of  "Land!  land!"  which  was  repeated, 
with  almost  frantic  delight,  by  the  crews  of  the  other  ves 
sols.     Passing  from  one  extreme  to. the  other,  tiiey,  who    i 
few  days  before  had  reviled  and  insulted  their  commander, 
now   regarded   him  as  one  whom   the   Deity  had  endowed 
with  knowledge  and  penetration  above  the  common  lot  of 
mortals. 


Ifc  INTRODUCTION, 

14.  At  sunrise,  Columbus,  in  a  rich  and  splendid  dressy 
landed,  and,  with  a  drawn  sword  in  his  handr  and  displaying 
the   royal   standard,   took  possession  of  the   island  for  the 
crown  of  Spain,  aB  his  followers  kneeling  on  the  shore  and 
kissing  the  ground  with  tears  of  joy.     The  natives,  who  had 
assembled  in  great  numbers  on  the  first  appearance  of  the 
ehipe,  stood  around  the  Spaniards,  gazing  in  speechless  as- 
tonishment, 

15.  "  The  Europeans  were  hardly  less  amazed  at  the  scene 
•before  them.     Every  herb,  and  shrub,  and  tree,  was  different 

from  those  which  flourished  in  Europe.  The  inhabitants 
appeared  in  the  simple  innocence  of  naturer  entirely  naked. 
Their  black  hair,  long  and  uncurled,  floated  upon  their 
tshoulders  or  was  bound  in  tresses  around  their  heads. 
Though  not  tail,  they  were  well  shaped  and  active.  They 
were  shy  at  first,  through  fear,  but  soon  became  familiar 
with  the  Spaniards  ;  from  whom,  with  transports  of  joy,  they 
received  various  trinkets,  for  whjch,  in  return,  they  gave 
such  provisions  as  they  had,  and  some  cotton  yam,  the  only 
commodity  of  value  they  could  produce." 

16  To  this  island  Columbus  gave  the  name  of  San  Sal 
vador.  The  natives  called  it  Guanahani,  and  by  that  name 
it  is  now  known.  It  is  one  of  the  Bahama  isles,  and  is  above 
three  thousand  miles  from  Gomera,  the  most  western  of  the 
Canaries.  From  the  poverty  and  ignorance  of  the  inhabit 
ants,  Columbus  was  convinced  that  he  had  riot  yet  arrived  at 
the  rich  country  which  was  the  object  of  his  search.  Leav 
ing  Guanahani,  he  discovered  and  visited  several  other 
Islands,  and  at  length  arrived  at  one  called  Hayti,  and  by 
him  Hispaniola,  Here  he  remained  a  fow  weeks,  and  then 
returned  to  Spain. 

17.  The  news  of  his  wonderful  discovery  filled  the  king 
dom   with   astonishment   and  joy.     His  reception  at   court 
was    accompanied    by   flattering    and    splendid    ceremonies 
ordained  for  the   occasion  ;  and  he  was  honored  by  many 
proofs  of  royal  favor.     He  made  three  subsequent  voyages, 
and,  in  1498,  discovered  the  continent  of  America,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Oronoco,  a  river  of  the  third  or  fourth  magni 
tude  in  the  New  World,  but  far  surpassing  tho  largest  in 
the  Old. 

18.  The  honor,  however,  of  first  discovering  the  conti 
nent,  must,  without  diminishing  the  merit  of  Columbus,  be 
given   to  John  Cabot  and   his  son  Sebastian.     They  were 
\7enetians   by  birth,  but,  soon  after  the  result  of  the  first 
voyage  of  Columbus  was  known,  were  sent,  by  the  king  of 


INTRODUCTION,  11 

England,  on  an  expedition  of  discovery,  in  the  same  direc 
tion.  In  June,  1497,  they  arrived  at  the  island  of  New. 
ibundland,  in  North  America,  and,  proceeding  westward, 
soon  after  reached  tke  continent.  It  being  their  object  alsp 
to  find  a  direct  passage  to  the  East  Indies,  they  first  sailed 
northwardly  in  search  of  it,  as  far  as  the  57th  degree  of  lati 
tude  ;  then,  returning,  cruised  along  the  coast,  to  East  Flo 
rida;  and  thence  sailed  to  England  without  having  ma.de 
any  settlement..  Up<?n  the  discoveries  made  in  this  voyage? 
the  English  founded  their  claim  to  the  eastern  portion  of 
North  America. 

19.  In  1499,  Alonza  de  Ojeda,  a  companion 'of  Columbus 
fin  his  first  expedition,  sailing  under  the  patronage  of  several 
Portuguese  merchants,  discovered  the  continent  at  Paria,  in 
the  5lh  degree  of  north  latitude.     Americus  Vespucius,  a 
Florentine  gentleman  who  accompanied  him,  published,  on 
•his  return,  an  account  of  the  voyage  and  a  description  of  the 
•country  which  they  had  visited ;  and  from  him  it  derives  the 
name  it  bears. 

20.  In  1504,  several  adventurous  navigators,  from  different 
.parts  of  France,  came,  in  small  vessels,  to  fish  on  the  banks 
of  Newfoundland.     In  1524,  John   Verrazzano,  a  Floren- 
line,  in  the  employment  of  the  king  of  France,  sailed  alonnr 
the  coast  of  America,  from  Florida  to  the  56th  degree  ot 
north  latitude.     He  is  supposed  to  have  entered  the  harbor 
of  New  York.     He  made,  the  next  year,  another  voyage, 
from  which  he  never  returned,  nor  is  it  known  by  what 
•disaster  he  perished. 

21.  During  the  next  forty  years,  frequent  voyages  were 
made  to  the  coast  of  North  America.     Of  some,  the  object 
was  fishing  ;  ©fathers,  trade  with  the  natives.     In  1540.  the 
French  made  an  attempt  to  plant  a  .colony  in  Canada,  which 
was  unsuccessful. 

22.  The  religious  wars  which  aflicted  France  in  the  six 
teenth    century,   induced  that  illustrious  statesman,   Jasper 
Cotigm,  the  head  of  the  Protestant  sect,  to  project,  in  1502,  v- 
a  settlement  in  America,  to  which  feis  brethren  might  retire 
from  the  persecution  of  the  Catholics.    Fitting  out  two  ships, 
'he  sent  them  thither  under  the  command  of  John   Ribaut, 
who  landed  at  a  place  supposed  to  be  within  the  limits  of 
South  Carolina,  built  a  fort,  left  a  part  .of  his  men,  and 
returned  to  France. 

23.  The  men  who  were  left,  soon  after  mutinied,  killed 
their  commander,  built  and  equipped  a  vessel,  and  put  to 
tsea,     Having  been  .out  several  -weeks,   and  consumed,  all 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

their  provisions,  one  of  their  number,  who  consented  to  !>e 
made  a  victim  to  save  his  comrades,  was  killed  and.  eaten. 
A  fsw  days  afterwards,  they  were  taken  up  by  an  English 
vessel  and  carried  to  England.  This  was  the  first  attempt 
lo  plant  a  colony  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States ;  and 
it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  to  secure  an  asylum  from  reli 
gious  persecution  was  the  object  in  view.  Coligni  after- 
wards  sent  a  party  to  Florida,  who  WCKJ  treacherously 
massacred  by  the  Spaniirds. 

24.  In    1583,   Sir    Humphrey   Gilbert,   having    received 
from  queen  Elizabeth  a  grant  of  such    "  remote,  heathen 
and    barbarous   lands"   as    he  might   discover  and  occupy,, 
fitted  out  a  squadron  of  five  ships,  and  sailed  for  America. 
On  arriving  before  St.  John,   in   Newfoundland,  he  found 
thirty-six   vessels  fishing  in  the  harbor.      He   landed,  and 
took  possession  of  the  country  in  the  name  of  his  sovereign. 
On    his    return    to    England,    he    suifrred   shipwreck    and 
perished. 

25.  The   next  year,  Sir  Walter   Raleigh,   distinguished 
M  the  history  of  England  as  a  gallant  knight  and  as  the 
favorite   of  the   queen,   obtained    a   renewal  of  the  patent 
granted  to  Sir  Humphrey,  who  was  his  half  brother,  and 
despatched  to  America  two  ships-  commanded  by  captains 
Amidas  and    Barlow.     They  first  landed   on  an   island   in 
the  inlet  to  Pamplico  sound,  then  proceeded  to  the  isle  of 
lloanoke  at  the  mouth  of  Albemarle  sound,  in  North  Caro- 

•  liria,  and  at  bcth  places  were  treated  with  great  respect  by 
the  natives. 

26.  Having  freighted  their  ship?  with  furs,  sassafras,  and 
cedar,  they  returned  to-  England,  where  th^y  published  mar 
vellous  accounts  of  the  beauty  of  the  country,  the  fertility 
of  the  soil,  the  mildness  of  the  etimate,  and  the  innocence 
of  the  natives.     The  queen  was  so  charmed  with  the  de 
scription,  that,   as  a   memorial  that  the   country  had  been 
discovered  during  the  reign  of  a  virgin  queen,  she  called  it 
Virginia. 

27.  The  next  year   Raleigh   sent  from   Kngfond  seven- 
vessels,  commanded  by  Sir  Riichard  Grenville,  and  carrying 
upwards  of  one  hundred  persons,  destined  to  begin   a  set 
tlement.     They  were  left  under  Ralph  Lane,  on  Roanoke 
island.     Tho   success-  of  the  Spaniards  in   finding  gold  in 
South  America,  led  these  adventurers  to  employ  their  timer 
in  a  fruitless   search   for  it  here.     In   1586,  they  were  vi- 
elted  by  Sir  Francis  Drake,  who,  at  their  request,  conveved 
them  back  to  England*     Lane  canrjnng  h-wae-  a  f 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

of  tobacco,  the  Indian  custom  of  smoking  it  was  adopted 
by  Raleigh,  a  man  of  gayety  and  fashion,  and  introduced 
*it  court. 

28.  Soon   after  Drake  departed,   Grenville  again  arrived 
tvith  provisions  for  the  settlement.     Finding  it  abandoned, 
he  left  fifteen  men  to  keep  possession  of  the  country.     In 
1587,  three  other  ships  were  sent  to  the  same  pla.ce,  but  tho 
men  who  had  been  left  could  not  be  found,  having  prob;ibiy 
b^en    murdered   by   tho    savages.     After   remaining    a  few 
weeks  on  the  coast,  the  ships  returned  to   England,  leaving 
one  hundred  and  seventeen  men  on  the  island.     War  then 
existing   between   England  and   Spain,   two  years  elapsed 
before  the  coast  was  again  visited.     In  that  period  the  vvholo 
number  perished  ;  but  in  what  manner  has  never  been  as- 
cortained.     Thus  ended  the  exertions  of  Raleigh  to  plant  a 
colony  in  America. 

29.  These  successive  misfortunes  withdrew,  for  several 
years,  the  attention  of  the  English  from  these  distant  re 
gions.     In   1G02,    Bartholomew  Gosnold  made  a  voyage  to 
America.     Instead  of  taking  the  circuitous,  but  usual  route, 
by  the  West   India  islands,  he   steered  directly  west  from 
England,  shortening  the  voyage  at  least  one  third,  and  ar 
rived,  in  May,  on  the  coast  of  Massachusetts,     lie  discov 
ered  a  hviiidland,  and  taking  a  great  quantity  of  codfish  near 
it,  called  it  Cape  Cod.     Proceeding  southwardly,  he  passed 
Gay  Head,  entered  Buzzard's  bay:  and  upon  an  island  within 
it  erected  a  small  fort,  the  ruins  of  which  were  visible  so  lat<3 
as  1797.    After  trading  awhile  wi'Ji  the  Indians,  he  returned 
hoins. 

30.  The  report  made  by  Gosnold  revived  the  spirit  of  ad- 
venture.     In  1603  and  1605,  two  voyages  were  made  in  the 
sirno  direction,  and  Peno'oscot  bay,  Massachusetts  bay,  and 
the  rivers  between  them,  wero  discovered.     The  accounts 
given  by  the  last  navigators  confirmed  the  report  of  Goanold, 
and  led  to  a  more  extensive  scheme  of  colonization  than  had 
yet  been  attempted. 

31.  Of  this  scheme   Mr.  Richard  Hakluyt  was  the  most 
active  promoter.     By  his  persuasion,  an  association  of  gen. 
tlenum,  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom,  was  formed  for  the 
purpose  of  sending  colonies  to  America.     Upon  their  appli 
cation  to  king  James,  he,  by  letters  patent,  dated  in  1GOG, 
divided  the  country  of  Virginia,  then  considered  as  extending 
from  the  southern  boundary  of  North  Carolina  to  the  north 
ern  boundary  of  Maine,  into  two  districts,  and  constituted 
tWJ  companies  for  planting  colonies  within  them. 

2 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

32.  The  southern  district  lie  granted  to  Sir  Thomas  Gates 
and  his  associates,  chiefly  resident  in  London,  and  therefore 
styled    the    London  Company ,\     The  northern   district   he 
granted  to  Thomas  Hanhain  and  his  associates,  who  were 
styled  the  Plymouth  Company^  The  two  districts  were  styled 
South  and  North  Virginia.     The  members  of  these  compa 
nies  were  principally  merchants  ;  their  objects  were  the  ex . 
tension  of  commerce  and  the  discovery  of  mines  of  the  pre 
cious  metals,  which  were  supposed  to  abound  in  North  as 
well  as  in  South  America. 

33.  For  the  supreme  government  of  the  colonies,  a  grand 
council  was  instituted,  the  members  of  which  were  to  reside 
in  England,  and  to  be  appointed  by  the  king.     The  subordi 
nate  jurisdiction  was  committed  to  a  council  in  each  colony, 
the  members  of  which  were  to  be  appointed  by  the  grand 
council  in  England,  and  to  be  governed  by  its  instructions. 
To  the  emigrants  and  their  descendants  were  secured  the 
enjoyment  of  all  the  rights  of  denizens  or  citizens,  in  the 
same  manner  and  to  the  same  extent  as  if  they  had  remained 
or  been  born  in  England. 

34.  Before  the  date,  however,  of  these  letters  patent,  the 
king  of  France  granted  to  the  Sieur  De  Monts  all  the  terri 
tory  from  the  40th  to  the  46th  degree  of  north  latitude,  or 
from  New  Jersey  to  Nova  Scotia,  then  called  Acadia.     By 
virtue  of  this  grant  a  settlement  was  made  in  1604,  on  the 
south-eastern   side   of  the   bay  of  Fundy,  and   called   Port 
Royal.    In  1608,  Samuel  Champlain,  the  agent  of  De  Montp, 
laid  the  foundation  of  Quebec,  the  capital  of  Canada.     From 
these  possessions  of  the  French,  the  colonies  of  New  Eng 
land  and  New  York  wero,   for  more  than  a  century,  fre 
quently  and  cruelly  annoyed. 


^  CHAPTER  I. 

HISTORY  OF  VIRGINIA. 

THE  London  Company,  soon  after  its  incorporation  in 
1606,  despatched  to  America  three  ships,  -having  on  board 
one  hundred  and  five  persons,  destined  to  begin  a  settlement 
in  South  Virginia.  Christopher  Newport;  commanded  the 
squadron.  lie  was  accompanied  by  captain  Gosnold  and 
other  distinguished  individuals  ;  some  allured  by  curiosity, 
and  some  by  the  prospect  of  gain,  to  visit  a  country  said  to 
be  inhabited  by  a  new  race  of  beings,  and  to  abound  in  silver 
and  gold. 

2.  A  sealed  box  was  delivered  to  Newport,  with  directions 
that  it  should  not  be  opened  until  twenty-four  hours  after  the 
emigrants  had  landed  in  America.     During  the  voyage,  vio 
lent  dissensions  arose  among  the  principal   personages  on 
board  the  squadron.     Of  most  of  them,  John  Smith,  one  of 
the  adventurers,  incurred  the  distrust  and  hatred.     His  su 
perior  talents,  and  the  fame  he  had  acquired  by  his  exploits 
in  war,  excited  their  envy,  and  probably  caused  him  to  claim 
foi  himself  greater  deference  than  they  were  willing  or  bound 
to  yield. 

3.  In  his  youth,  he  had  been  a  merchant's  apprentice.    At 
the  age  of  fifteen,  he  quitted  his  master,  and  travelled  in 
France,  the   Netherlands,   Egypt,  and   Germany.     Having 
joined  the  army  of  the  emperor  of  Austria,  who  was  then  at 
war  with  the  Turks,  he  received,  as  a  reward  for  a  successful 
stratagem,  the  command  of  a  troop  of  horse. 

4.  In  three   personal  cornb;;.ts  with  Turkish  champions, 
lie  came  off  victorious,  at  each  time  killing  his  adversary. 
In  a  battle  which  subsequently  took  place,  he  was  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner.     After  his  recovery,  he  was  sent  as  a 
slave  to  Constantinople.     He  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of 
a  cruel  master ;  but  his  mistress,  captivated  by  his  fine  ap 
pearance  and  heroic  character,  and  commisserating  his  fate, 
sent  him,  in  the  absence  of  her  husband,  to  her  brother, 
who  dwelt  near  the  sea  of  Asoph.     He,  disregarding  her 
dirp"*ions,  assigned  to  Smith  degrading  and  laborious  tasks, 
and  beat  him  without  mercy  whenever  he  failed  to  perform 
them. 

5.  Seizing  a  favorable  opportunity,  he   killed   his   new 
master,    and    fled   into    Russia.      After   visiting    Germany, 
France,  Spain,  and  Morocco,  he  returned  to  England,  be- 


16  VIRGINIA. 

came  acquainted  with' Gosnold,  and  was  easily  persuaded  to 
embark  in  an  expedition  to  a  country  he  had  not  yet  visited, 
in  search  of  new  scenes  and  new  adventures.  While 
yet  at  sea,  he  was  accused  of  an  intention  to  murder  the 
council,  usurp  the  government,  and  make  himself  king  of 
Virginia  ;  and  upon  this  absurd  accusation  was  put  in  con- 
finement. 

6.  The  place  of  their  destination  was  the  disastrous  posi 
tion  of  the  Roanoke.    A  storm  fortunately  drove  them  to  the 
mouth  of  Chesapeake  bay,  which  they  entered  on  the  2b'th 
of  April,   1607.     Discovering  a  large  and   beautiful   river, 
they  gave  it  the  name  of  James  river,  ascended  it,  and  on  its 
banks  had  several  interviews  with  the  natives. 

7.  In  one  of  these,  a  chief  came  forward,  holding  in  ono 
hand  his  bow  and  arrows,  in  the  other  a  pipe  of  tobacco,  and 
demanded  the  cause  of  their  coming.     They  made  signs  of 
peace,  and  were  received  as  friends.    Paspiha,  another  chief, 
when  informed  of  their  wish  to  settle  in  the  country,  offered 
them  as  much  land  as  they  wanted,  and  sent  them  a  deer 
for  their  entertainment. 

8.  On  the  13th  of  May,  they  debarked  at  a  place  which 
they  called  Jamestown.     On  opening  the  sealed  box,  it  was 
found  to  contain  the  names  of  the  council  and  instructions 
for  their  guidance.     In  the  list  were  the  names  of  Gosnold, 
Smith,    VVingfield,   and    Newport.     Wingneld  was  elected 
president,  and  a  vote  was  passed .  bxcluding  Smith  from  his 
seat  at  the   board.     He  was,  however,  released  from  con. 
finement. 

9.  The  whole  country  was  then  a  wilderness,  in  which 
a   few   Indians   roamed   in   pursuit  of  their  enemies,  or  of 
wild  beasts  for  food.     In  color  they  wore  darker  than  the 
European,  but  not  so  black  as  the  negro.     They  possessed 
all   the  vices  and  virtues  of  the  savage  state  ;   were  cun, 
ning  in  stratagem,  ferocious  in  battle,  cruel  to  their  con 
quered  enemies,  kind  arid  hospitable  to  their  friends.     They 
had    no  written   language  ;    they  were   unacquainted   with 
the  use  of  iron   and   the   other  metals  ;    their  weapons  of 
war  were  a  bow  and  arrows,  a  stone  hatchet,  which  they 
called  a  tomahawk,  and  a  club.     They  lived  principally  by 
hunting,  but  sometimes  cultivated  small  patches  of  InJiau 
corn. 

10.  From  such    neighbors  the    emigrants   could   expect 
but  little  aid  or  comfort.     Yet  they  took  no  care  to  provide 
for  their  future  subsistence  or   preservation.     They  plant- 
ed  nothing  the  first  year.     The  provisions  brought  from 


VIRGINIA.  ,  17 

England  were  soon  consumed.  In  four  months,  famine  and 
the  diseases  of  a  hot  and  damp  climate  swept  away  fifty  of 
their  number. 

11.  These  dreadful  distresses  led  them  to  reflect  upon 
their  situation  and  conduct.  Having  become  sensible  of 
their  injustice  to  Smith,  the}7,  at  his  request,  had  granted 
him  a  tried,  which  resulted  in  an  honorable  acquittal.  His 
personal  talents  and  activity  now  enforced,  in  adversity,  the 
same  regard  and  deference,  which  in  prosperous  times,  are 
yielded  oiily  to  vested  authority  and  official  station. 
.«-.  12.  By  his  advice,  a  fort  was  erected,  to  protect  them 
from  the  attacks  of  the  Indians.  To  procure  provisions  and 
explore  the  country,  he  made  frequent  and  distant  excur 
sions  into  the  wilderness.  In  one  of  these,  he  seized  an  In 
dian  id®!,  made  with  skins  stuffed  with  moss,  for  the  redemp. 
tion  of  which  as  much  corn  was  brought  him  as  he  required. 
Sometimes  he  procured  supplies  by  caresses,  sometimes  by 
purchase,  and  when  these  means  failed  of  success,  he  scru 
pled  not  to  resort  to  stratagem  and  violence. 

13.  But  in   the  midst   of  his  activity  and  usefulness,  he 
was,  vvhils  exploring  the  source  of  the  river  Chickahominy, 
surprised  and  attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians.     He  defended 
himself  bravely  until  his  companions  were  killed,  when  he 
turned  to  flee.     Running  at  hazard,  he  sunk  to  his  neck  in  a 
swamp,  and  was  taken  prisoner. 

14.  The    exulting    savages    conducted    him    in    triumph, 
through   several   towns,  to   tlieir   king,    Powhatan.     At  the 
end  of  six   weeks,  their   chiefs  assembled  to   deliberate   on 
his  fate.     They  decided  that  he  should  die.     He  was  led 
forth  to  execution  ;  his  head  was  placed  upon  a  stone,  and 
an  Indian  stood  near  with  a  club,  the  instrument  of  death. 
At  this  instant,   Pocahontas,  the  young  and  favorite  daugh 
ter  of  the  king,  appeared,  and  rushing  between  the  execu 
tioner  and  the  prisoner,  folded  his  hea'd   in   her  arms,  arid 
entreated  her  father  to  spare  his  life.     Powhatan  relented, 
directed  Smith  to  be  conducted  to  his  wigwam  or  hut,  and 
soon   afterwards   sent   him,    escorted   by  twelve   guides,    to 
Jamestown. 

15.  On  his  arrival  there,  he  found  the  number  of  settlers 
reduced  to\ thirty-eight.'  and  most  of  these  had  determined  to 
abandon  the  country.     By  persuasions  and  threats,   he  in 
duced  a  majority  to  relinquish  their  design.    The  remainder, 
raorri  resolute,  went  on  board   a  small  vessel  in  the  river. 
Against  these   he   instantly  directed  the   guns  of  the  fort, 

2*       y 


18  VIRGINIA. 

when,  to  avoid  the  clanger  of  being  sunk,  they  hastened 
back  to  their  companions. 

16.  Sustaining  now  a  high  reputation  among  the  Indians, 
he   obtained  from  them   occasional  supplies    of  provisions, 
which    preserved   the    colony   from    famine.     The    princess 
Pocahontas,    also,    remembering   him    whose    life    she    had 
saved,    frequently   sent   him    such    articles   as    were    most 
needed.     The   settlers    were   thus   enabled    to   subsist  until 
captain  Newport,  who  had  returned  to  England,  again  ar 
rived  at  Jamestown,  with  a  quantity  of  provisions,  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty  persons,    who   carno   to  reside  in   tho 
colony.  I 

17.  &\  danger  being  m  appearance  over,  the  emigrants 
no  longer  submitted   to  the  authority,   nor   listened   to  tho 
advice   of  Smith.      Disorder  and   confusion   followed ;    and 
about  this  time,  that  raging  passion  for  gold,  which  first  im 
pelled   Europeans  to  resort  to  this  country,  was  again  ex 
cited.     In  a  stream  north  of  Jamestown,  a  glittering  earth 
was  discovered,  which  was  supposed  to  be  gold  dust.    "  Im 
mediately,"  says  Stith,  in  his  history,  "there  was  no  thought, 
no  discourse,  no  hope,  and  no  work,  but  to  dig  gold,  wash 
gold,  refine  gold,  and  load  gold."     And  notwithstanding  tho 
remonstrances   of  Smith,    a   ship   was  freighted   with   this 
worthless  commodity  and  sent  to  England. 

18.  Finding  he  could  not  be  useful   in  Jamestown,   and 
unwilling  to  be  idle,   Smith  set  out  upon  an  expedition  to 
explore  the  coasts  of  the  Chesapeake./  With  great  labor  and 
fatigue,  he  examined  every  inlet,  river,  and  bay,  as  far  as  the 
mouth  of  the  Rappahannock ;  whence,  his  provisions  being 
exhausted,  he  returned  home. 

19.  He    found   the    people    turbulent    and   discontented. 
They   charged  the  president  with   squandering  the    public 
property,  arid  imposing  upon  them  unnecessary  fatigue,  by 
compelling  them  to  build  for  himself  a  house  of  pleasure  in 
the  woods.    He  was  deposed  ;  Smith  was  chosen  to  succeed 
him  ;  he  refused  to  accept  the  office,  but  no  other  person 
was  appointed. 

20.  Having  procured  a  supply  of  provisions,  he  again  de 
parted  to  complete  the  survey  of  the  Chesapeake.   He  visited 
all    the    countries   on    both   shores;    he   traded   with    some 
tribes;   he  fought   with    others;  and    left,    among    all,    the 
highest  admiration  of  the  beneficence  or  valor  of  the  English. 
Returning   after   an   absence   of  six   weeks,    lie    was    agiin 
chosen  president.     Yielding  to  the  general    wish,   he   con. 


VIRGINIA.  19 

Rented' to  accept  the  office.  Under  his  administration,  nabitft 
of  industry  and  subordination  were  formed,  and  peace  and 
plenty  smiled  upon  the  colony. 

21.  In   1609,   the   London  Company,  having  obtained   a 
new  charter,  conferring  greater  powers  and  privileges  than 
the  former,  despatched  to  Virginia  nine  ships,  carrying  five 
hundred  emigrants,  and  certain  officers  appointed  to  super, 
eede  the  existing  government.     The   ship,  in  which   these 
officers  embarked,  was  driven  ashore  on  the   island  of  Ber 
mudas.     T ho  settlers,  who  carne  in  the  others,  were  licen 
tious,  profligate,  and  disorderly.    Assuming  the  power  of  dis 
posing  of  the  government,  they  conferred  it  sometimes  on 
one,  and  sometimes  on  another. 

22.  In  this  confusion,   Smith  hesitated  but  a  short  time 
in  deciding  what  course  to  pursue.     He  determined  that  his 
authority  was  not  suspended  until  the  arrival  of  the  persons 
appointed   to   supersede  him,   and   resumed,   with  a  strong 
hand,  the  reins  of  government.     He  boldly  imprisoned  the 
fenders  of  the  sedition,  and  restored  for  a  time  regularity  and 
obedience. 

23.  The  Indians,  jealous  of  the  increasing  power  of  the 
strangers  who  had  invaded  their  country,  concerted  a  plot 
to  destroy  them.     Pocahont.as,  the  constant  friend  of  Vir 
ginia,  hastened,  in  a  dark  and  dreary  night,  to  Jamestown, 
and  informed  Smith  of  his  danger.     Measures   of  precau 
tion  were   instantly   taken.     The    Indians,   perceiving  that 
their  design  was  discovered,  again  brought  presents  of  peace 
to  the  English. 

24.  Soon  after,   Smith,  having  received  by  accident  a  se 
vere  wound,  returned  to  England  to  procure  the  aid  of  a 
surgeon.     *  Disastrous    consequences    followed.      The     In 
dians,  learning  that  the  rnan  whom  they  dreaded  most  had 
left  the   colony,  attacked  it  with  united   forces.     A  dread 
ful   famine  ensued.     To  such   extremity  were   the   settlers 
reduced,  that  they  devoured  the   skins   of  the  horses,    the 
bodies   of  the  Indians   whom  they   had   killed,  and   at  List 
those  of  their  own  companions,  who  had  sunk  under  accu 
mulated    miseries.     Th\:se   tremendous   sufferings   were    ro 
collected  long  afterwards  with  horror,  and  the  period  was 
remembered  and  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  "  STARV 
ING  TIME." 

25.  In  six   months,  the   colony,   from   five  hundred  per- 
fions,   was  reduced   to    sixty ;  and   thcss    were    exceedingly 
dejected.     In  this  situation,  they  were  visited  by  those  who 
were   shipwrecked   at    Bermudas.      All   immediately   deter- 


20  VIRGINIA. 

mined  to  return  to  England.  For  this  purpose,  the  rein-, 
nant  of  the  colony  emb,;rkod  on  board  the  ships  just  arrived, 
and  saibd  down  tho  river.  Fortunately  they  wore  met  by 
lord  Delaware,  who  had  been  appointed  governor  of  Virginia, 
and  who,  having  brought  with  him  a  supply  of  provisions, 
persuaded  them  1,0  return  to  Jamestown. 

26.  This  nobleman,   by  tho   mildness   of  his  temper  and 
his  assiduity  in  business,  restored  order  and   contentment ; 
and  the  Indians  were  again  taught  to  respect  and  fear  the 
English.     After  a  shout  administration,   he   was  succeeded 
by  sir  Thomas  Dale,   by  whom,   on  the  recurrence  of  dis 
orderly   conduct,    martial   law   was   proclaimed  and    rigidly 
enforced.     lu  the  same  year,  [16il,]  sir  Thomas  Gates  was 
appointed  governor.     He   brought  with   him  to  Virginia  a 
reinforcement  of  settlers,  by  whom  new  towns  were  founded. 
And  another  charter  was  granted  by  the   king,   conferring 
additional  privileges. 

27.  In  1612,  c.iptam  Argal,  having  learned,  while  on  a 
trading    voyage   to  the   Potomac,   that   Focahontas   was   in 
the  neighborhood,  visited  and  persuaded  her  to  go  on  board 
his  vessel.  \  He  treated  her  respectfully,   but  detained   and 
carried  her  to  Jamestown.     Re   presumed  that  the  posses 
sion  of  Pocahontas  would  give  the  English  an  ascendency 
over   Powhatan,    who  was  known   to  feel   a  strong  attach, 
merit  to    his  daughter.     In    this,    however,    he    was    disap. 
pointed.     Powhatan,  noble  by  nature,  felt  indignant  at  this 
instance  of  treachery  in  the  English.     He  offered  a,  ransom 
for  his   daughter,   but  refused  to  consent  to   any  terms  of 
peace  until  she  was  re  stored. 

28.  During  her  stay  at  Jamestown,  (her  beauty,  her  art 
less  simplicity,  and  those  graces  of  manner  which  ever  ac 
company  dignity  of  mind  and  innocence  of  heart,  won  the 
affections  of  Mr.  Rolfe,   a  young   and  respectable   planter. 
He  succeeded  in  producing  a  reciprocal  attachment.    They 
were  married  with  the  consent  of  Powhatan.     The  conse 
quence  of  this  marriage  was  peace  with  her  father,  and  with 
all  the  tribes  who  stood  in  awe  of  his  power. 

29.  Rolfe  and   his  princess  made   a   voyage  to   England, 
where  she   was   received  by  the   king  and  queen   witn   the 
attention  due  to  her  rank.     For  her  virtues,  and  her  disin 
terested  services,  she  was  universally  beloved  and  respected. 
She  died  when  about  to  return  to  America,  leaving  one  son, 
from  whom  are  descended  some  of  the  most  respectable  fami 
lies  in  Virginia. 

30.  In  1613,  ciptain  Argal  was  sent  with  a  naval  force, 


VIRGINIA.  2 

to  drive  the  French  from  the  settlements  they  had  begun  in 
Acadia,  which  were  considered  to  be  within  the  limits  of 
North  Virginia.  He  accomplished  the  object  of  the  expedi 
tion,  and,  when  returning,  visited  a  Ducch  trading-  establish 
ment  on  Hudson's  river,  which  was  also  within  the  same 
limits.  The  governor,  too  feeble  to  resist,  acknowledged 
himself  subject  to  the  king  of  England. 

31.  The  king,  in  his  instructions  given  at  the  time  of  the 
first  emigration   to  Jamestown,   directed ;  that  all  the  land 
should  be   owned  in  common,  and  that  the  produce  of  the 
labor  of  all   should   be  deposited -in  the  public  stores.     In 
such  circumstances,  no  one  would  labor  with  the  same  stea 
diness  and  animation  as  if  he,  and  he  alone,  was  to  possess 
and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  industry.     A  different  regulation 
was  now  adopted.     To  each  inhabitant,  throe  acres  of  land 
were   assigned  in   full   property,  and  he  was  permitted  to 
employ,   in  the    cultivation   of  it,  a  certain  portion  of  his 
time.     'The  effects  of  thi£  alteration  were  immediately  visi 
ble,  and  demonstrated  so  clearly  its  wisdom,  that  soon  after 
another  assignment  of  fifty  acres  was  made  ;  and  the  plan 
of  working  in  a  common  field,  to  fill  the  public  stares,  was 
entirely  abandoned. 

32.  Since  the  year  1611,  the  colony  had  been  governed 
by   martial    law,  which  was    administered    by  deputy-gov 
ernor  A  rgal,  with  so  much  rigor  as  to  excite  universal  dis 
content.     The   council   in   England,' listening  to  the  com 
plaints  of  the  Virginians,  appointed  Mr.  ofotrdly  governor, 
and  instructed  him  to  inquire  into  arid  redress  their  wrongs. 

*  He  arrived  in  April,  1619,  and  immediately,  to  the  great 
joy  of  the  inhabitants,  called  a  general  assembly  of  the 
colony.  It  met  at  Jamestown,  on  the  19th  of  June,  and 
was  composed  of  delegates  from  the  boroughs,  then 
amounting  to  seven.  They,  the  governor,  and  the  council, 
sat  and  deliberated  in  the  same  apartment,  and  acted  as  one 
body. 

-33.  Emigrants  continued  to  arrive  frequently  from  Eng 
land  ;  but  nearly  all  were  men,  who  came  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  wealth,  and  intended  eventually  to  return.  With 
such  views,  they  were  evidently  less  useful  to  the  colony 
than  if  they  should  be  induced  to  regard  it  as  their  home, 
and  as  the  abode  of  their  posterity.  To  produce  this  desi 
rable  attachment  to  the  country,  ninety  girls,  young  and  un- 
corru-pt,  were  sent  over  in  the  year  1620,  and  sixty  more  in 
the  subsequent  year,  and  immediately  sold  to  the  young 
planters  as'-wives.  The  price  was,  at  first,  one  hundred,  and 


22  VIRGINIA. 

afterwards,  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  tobacco,  then, 
selling  at  three  shillings  the  pound ;  and  it  was  ordained, 
that  debts,  contracted  for  wives,  should  be  paid  in  preference 
to  all  others. 

34.  About  the  same  time,  another  measure,  of  a  differ 
ent  character,  was  adopted.     The  company  were   ordered 

.  by  the  king  to  transport  to  Virginia  one  hundred  idle  and 
dissolute  persons,  then  in  custody  for  their  offences. 
They  were  distributed  through  the  colony,  and  employed  as 
laborers. 

35.  A  Dutch  vessel  also  brought  into  James  river  twenty 
Africans,  who  were  immediately  purchased  as  slaves.     This 
was  the  commencement,  in  the  English  American  colonies, 
of  a  traffic  abhorrent  to  humanity,  disgraceful  to  civilization, 
and  fixing  the  foulest  stain  upon  the  character  of  the  age  and' 
people. 

36.  The  colony  was  now  in  the  full  tide  of  prosperity.  Its 
numbers   had    greatly  increased,  and   its  settlements   were 
widely  extended.     At  peace  with  the  Indians,  it  reposed  in 
perfect  security,  and  enjoyed  without  alloy  all  the  happiness 
which  its  fortunate  situation  and  favorable  prospects  afforded. 
It  was  doomed  to  experience  a  reverse  of  fortune,  sudden, 
distressing,  and  terrible. 

37.  Powhatan,  the  friend  of  the  English  was  dead.     Ope- 
cancanough,  a  chief  endowed  with  all  those  qualities  which 
give   rank  and  reputation   to  an  Indian  warrior,  had  suc 
ceeded  him  in  his  influence  and  power ;    but  he  was  the 
secret  and  implacable  enemy  of  the  whites.     By  his  art  and 
eloquence,  he  united  all  the  neighboring  tribes  in  the  horri 
ble  design   of  destroying  every  man,  woman,  and  child,  in 
the  English  settlements. 

38.  The  plan  was  concerted  and  matured,  with  all  the 
becresy  and  dissimulation  which  characterize  the   savages. 
While    intent   on  their  plot,  they  visited    the    settlements, 
lodged  in  the  houses,  bought  arms  of  the  English,  and  even 
borrowed  their  boats  to  enable  them  to  accomplish  their  bar 
barous  purpose. 

39.  On  the  evening  before  the   fatal  day,  they  brought 
them  presents  of  game  ;  and  the  nex,t  morning  came  freely 
among  them,  behaving   as  usual.     Suddenly,   precisely    at 
mid-day,  the  blow  fell,  at  the  same  instant,  upon  the  unsus 
pecting  settlers ;  and  three  hundred   and  forty-seven   men, 
women,  and  children,  were  victims  to  savage  treachery  and 
cruelty.     The  massacre  would  have  been  more  extensive  had 
not  a  domesticated   Indian,  residing  in  one  of  the  villages, 


VIRGINIA.  23 

revealed  the  plot  to  his  master,  whom  he  had  been  solicited 
to  murder.  Information  was  instantly  given  to  some  of  the 
nearest  settlements,  and  just  in  time  to  save  them  from  the 
calamity  which  fell  upon  the  others. 

40.  The  horrid  spectacle  before  them  roused  the  English 
from  repose  to  vengeance.     A'  vindictive  and  exterminating 
war   succeeded.      The  whites  were   victorious,   destroying  * 
many  of  their  enemies,  and  obliging  the  remainder  to  retire 
far  into  the  wilderness.     But  their  own  number  melted  away 
before  the  miseries  of  war ;  their  settlements  were  reduced 
from  eighty  to  eio-ht,  and  famine  again  visited  them  with  its 
afflicting  scourge'/    In  1624,  out  of  nine  thousand  persons, 
who  had  been  sent  from  England,  but  eighteen  hundred  ex 
isted  in  the  colony. 

41.  These  continual  misfortunes  attracted  the  attention  of 
king  James.     He  revoked  the  charter  which  he  had  granted, 
and  committed   the   management   of  ail   the   affairs   of  the 
colony  to  a  governor  and  twelve   counsellors,  who  were  to 
be  appointed  by  the  king,  and  to  be  guided  by  his  instruc 
tions.     Of  these  instructions,  those  concerning  tobacco,  the 
principal  article  exported  from  the  colony,  may  be  taken  as 
a  sample.     It  was  ordained  that  those  who  raised  it  should 
not  themselves  be  permitted  to  dispose  of  it,  but  should  ex 
port  it  to   England,   and  deliver   it  to   certain  designated 
agents ;  and  they  alone  were  authorized  to  sell  it. 

42.  Under  such  arbitrary  regulations,  the  people  lived  and 
suffered,  until  the  year  1036,  when  sir  John  Harvey  held 
the  orfice  of    governor.     He   was   haughty,  rapacious,  un 
feeling,   and    fitted,  by  his    disposition,   to    exercise    power 
in    the  true  spirit    of   his    instructions.     Inflamed  to  mad 
ness  by  his  oppressions,  the  Virginians,  in  a  fit  of  popular 
rage,  seized  and  sont  him  a  prisoner  to  England.     At  tho 
same    time,  they  despatched   t.v.'o  deputies   ch;ir«rod   to    re 
present  the  grievances  of  the  colony  and  the  governor's  mis 
conduct. 

43.  Charles  I.,  who  was  then  king,  indignant  at  tho  vio 
lent  proceeding,  received  the  deputies  sternly,  and  sent  bacl 
the  governor,  invested  with  all  lus  former  powers.     He  was. 
however,  in  1G3D,  succeeded  by  loir  Willium  Berkeley,  wht 
was  instructed  again  to  allow  the  Virginians  to  elect  ropre. 
sentatives.     Such  was  their  gratitude  to  the  king  for  this 
favor,  that  during  the  civil  wars  between  him  and  his   par 
liament,   they  were    faithful  'ko  the  royal  cause,  and  con 
tinued  faithful  even  after  he  was  dethroned  and  his  son  dri- 
von  into  exile. 


24  VIRGINIA. 

44.  The   parliament,    irritated   by    this   conduct    of   the 
Virginians,  sent  sir  George  Ayscue,  in   1652,  with  a  pow 
erful  fleet,  to  reduce  them  to  submission.     Berkeley,  with 
more  spirit  than  prudence,  opposed  this    force ;    but  after 
making  a  gallant  resistance,  he  was  obliged  to  yield.     He 
obtained  the  most  favorable  terms  for  the  colony,  but  ask 
ed  no   stipulations   in   his   own   favor.     Withdrawing  to  a 
retired   situation,  he   lived   beloved   and   respected   by  the 
people. 

45.  For  nine  years  afterwards,  governors  appointed  by 
Cromwell  continued  to  preside  over  the   colony.     But  the 
predilection  for    royalty,  which    the    inhabitants    had    dis 
played,  was  remembered,  and  they  were  less  favored  than 
those  of  New  England,  who,  like  the  predominant  party  in 
Great  Britain,  were  republicans  in  politics,  and  puritans  in 
religion.     Arbitrary  restrictions  upon  the  commerce  of  Vir 
ginia  checked  its  prosperity,  and  produced  discontent.     At 
length,  the  sudden  death  of  governor  Matthews  afforded,  to 
the  adherents  of  the  royal  cause,  a  favorable  opportunity, 
which  they  gladly  seized,  to  proclaim  Charles  II.,  and  to 
invite  Berkeley  to  resume  the  authority  of  governor.     He 
consented,  requiring  only  their    solemn  promise  to  W/,ard 
their  lives  and  fortunes  in  supporting  the   cau^o  iney  had 
espoused. 

46.  At  this  period  no  intelligence  had  been  received  of 
the  death  of  Cromwell.     Fortunately  for  the   colony,  iliat 
event  happened  soon  after;  the  king  whom  they  had  pro 
claimed  was  restored  to  the  throne  ;  and  Virginia  for  a  long 
time  boasted,  that  she  was  the  last  of  the  British  dominions 
that  submitted  to  Cromwell,  and  the  first  that  returnud  to 
her  allegiance. 

47.  Charles   II.  confirmed   sir  William   Berkeley  in  the 
office  of  governor;  but   with   characteristic   ingratitude,  he 
neglected  the  interests  of  the  colony,  and  even  imposed  addi 
tional  restrictions  upon  its  commerce.     He  also  granted  to 
his  favorites  large  tracts  of  land  which  belonged  to  the  co 
lony.     These  injuries,  inflicted  by  a  hand  which   ought  to 
have   bestowed  favors,  wounded  the.  feelings  oi  the  Virgi 
nians,  and   produced  murmurs   and   complaints.     No  relief 
being  granted,  an   open  and  turbulent  insurrection  was  the 
consequence. 

48.  At  the  head  of  the  insurgents  was  Nathaniel  Bacon. 
He  was  a  lawyer,  educated  in  London,  and  was  appointed  a 
member  of  the  council,  a  short  time  after  his  emigration  to 
Virginia.     He  was  young,  boU.  ambitious ,  his  person  en. 


VIRGINIA.  25 

gaging,  and  his  elocution  commanding.  He  harangued  the 
citizens  upon  their  grievances ;  inflamed  their  resentment 
against  their  rulers;  declaimed  particularly  against  the  lan 
guor  with  which  the  war,  then  existing  with  the  Indians, 
had  been  conducted;  and  such  was  the  effect  of  his  repre 
sentations,  that  he  was  elected  general  by  the  people. 

49.  He  applied  to  the  governor  for  a  commission  confirm 
ing  this  election,  and  offered  instantly  to  march,  at  the  head 
of  the   citizens,  against  the  savages.     Sir  William   indig 
nantly  refused,  and  issued  a  proclamation  commanding  the 
insurgents  to  disperse.     Bacon  had  advanced  too  far  to  re 
cede  with  honor  or  safety.     He  hastened,  at  the  head  of  six 
hundred  armed    followers,   to   Jamestown,   surrounded    the 
house  where  the  governor  and  council  were  assembled,  and 
repeated  his  demand. 

50.  The  council,  intimidated  by  the  threats  of  the  enraged 
multitude,  hastily  prepared  a  commission,  and,  by  their  en- 
treatios,  prevailed  on  the   governor  to  sign  it.     Bacon  and 
his  troops  then  began  their  march  against  the  Indinns.    But 
the   council,  when   relieved   from  their  fears,  declared  the 
commission  void,  and  proclaimed  him  a  rebel.     Enraged  at 
this  conduct,  he  instantly  returned,  with   all   his   forces,  to 
Jamestown.     The  governor  fled,  the  council  dispersed,  and 
he  found  himself  in  possession  of  supreme  power.     To  give 
it  some  show  of  legality,  he   called   together   the  most  con 
siderable  gentlemen  in  the' colony,  who  bound  themselves  by 
oath  to  support  his  authority. 

51.  Some  districts  remained   faithful   to   Berkeley,   who 
collected    forces,    and   made    inroads    into    those    sections 
where    Bacon's   authority  was  recognised.     The   latter  re 
taliated,  and   for   some    months,    a   civil   war,    with  all  its 
peculiar  horrors,  raged  in  Virginia.     Jamestown  was  burned, 
and  some  of  the  finest  and  best  cultivated  districts  were  laid 
waste. 

52.  King  Charles,  informed  of  the   situation   of  aff'irs, 
despatched  a  body  of  troops   to.  the  assistance  of  Berkeley* 
Bacon  and  his  followers,  unintmiidated  by  their  approach, 
determined   to  oppose   them ;    but  when  prepared  to    take 
the    field,  this  daring  and  successful  leader,  having   exer 
cised  the  supreme  power,-  for  seven    months,  sickened  and 
died ;    and    no   person    being    found  among  the  insurgents 
qualified  to  supply  his  place,  as  the  general  of  an  army  or 
as    a  popular  leader,  they  laid  down  their    arms    and  dis 
persed. 

53.  Governor    Berkeley    again    assumed    the    supreme 

3 


26  MASSACHUSETTS. 

authority,  and  finding  the  rebels  in  his  power,  pursued  thon* 
with  unsparing  rij?«r.  Many  were  triad  by  courts  martial, 
and  executed.  1  V'  assembly  interfered,  praying  him  to 
Btop  the  work  of  tfeath,  and  enacted  laws  which  gradually 
restored  tranquillity.  Soon  after,  sir  William  returned  to 
England,  and  his  authority  devolved  on  colonel  Jeffreys,  the 
lieutenant-governor.  Under  his  administration,  peace  was 
concluded  with  the  Indians;  and  notwithstanding  the  lyran 
nical  regulations  of  the  king,  and  the  oppressive  restrictions 
upon  commerce,  the  colony  increased  in  wealth  and  popula 
tion.  In  the  year  1688,  thu  number  of  inhabitants  exceeded 
60,000. 

54.  Between  this  period  and  the   commencement  of  the 
French  war  of  1756,  an  account  of  which  will  be  found  in  a 
subsequent  chapter,  but  few  events  occurred  in  the  colony 
of  sufficient  importance  to  find  a  place  in  history.     Its  posi 
tion,  remote  from  the  settlements  cf  the  French  in  Canada, 
and  of  the  Spaniards  in  Florida,  was  favorable  to  its  quieL 
New  England  and   New  York,  on  the   one   hand,  Georgia 
and  the  Carolinas  on  the   other,  protected  it  from  savage 
incursions.      Its    affairs   were    administered   by    governors 
appointed  by  the  king,  and  representatives  chosen  by  the 
people. 

55.  The  laudable  efforts  of  these  representatives,  to  rarest 
the  progress  of  slavery  in  the  colony,  ought  not  to  be  passed 
over  in  silence.     Convinced  of  its  inhumanity,  and  foresee. 
ing  the  dreadful   evils  which   it  must  produce,   they  often 
passed  laws  prohibiting  the  importation  of  slaves ;  but  those 
who  were  higher  in  authority,  yielding  to  the  wishes  of  mer 
chants   engaged   in   the  abominable   traffic,  persisted,  with 
criminal  obstinacy,  in  withholding  their  assent.     England, 
riot  America,  is  responsible  for  the  wretchedness  which  hef 
kings  and  her  officers  were  often  importuned,  but  refused,  to 
avert. 


CHAPTER  II. 
MASSACHUSETTS. 

OF  the  two  companies  incorporated  by  king  Jame«,  aa 
account  of  the  proceedings  and  dissolution  of  one,  and  a 
history  of  the  colony  it  founded,  have  been  given  in  tiny 
preceding  chapter.  To  the  other,  or  Plymouth  Company, 


MASSACHUSETTS.  27 

was  assigned  a  portion  of  the  American  continent  lying  far- 
Uier  to  the  north,  arid  at  that  time  called  North  Virginia. 

2.  The  latter,  in  1606,  the  year  in  which  both  were  incor- 

E orated,  despatched  a  ship  to  make  discoveries  within  the 
m its  of  its  grant.  Bofore  the  voyage  was  completed,  she 
was  captured  by  the  Spaniards.  Another  ship,  afterwards 
sent  for  the  same  purpose,  returned  with  such  a  favorable 
account  of  the  territory,  that  the  company  was  encouraged 
to  proceed  in  the  undertaking. 

3.  The  next  year,  forty-five  men  were  sent  over  and  left 
at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Kenncbec.     In  1608,  dispirited  by 
the  hardships  they  had  endured,  they  returned  to  England 
in  ships   which   had  brought  them   provisions  and  succors. 
The  company,  disappointed  and  dissatisfied,  desisted  for  a 
while  from  all  attempts  to  effect  a  settlement. 

4.  In  1614,  John  Smith,  the  same  who  acted  a  conspicu 
ous    part   in   the    settlement    of  Virginia,  made    a  voyage 
to   this  northern  country,  touching  first  at  the    mouth   of 
the  Konnebec.     Sailing  thence,   in  an  open  boat,   he   sur 
veyed  the  coast  to  the  southern  boundary  of  Massachusetts 
bay.     The  northern  promontory  he  named  Tragabigzanda, 
in  honor  of  the  Turkish  lady  to  whom  he  had  formerly  been 
a  slave.     The  three  small  islands,  lying  near  the  head  of 
the    promontory,    he    called   the    Three    Turks'    heads,    in 
memory  of  his  victory  over  the  three  Turkish  champions. 
Both  appellations  have  been  changed  for  others.     On  his 
return  to  England,  he  presented  to  prince  Charles  a  map 
of  the  country,  and  gave  him  such  a  glowing  description 
of  its  beauty  and  excellence,  that  he,  in  the  warmth  of  his 
admiration,  declared  that  it  should  bear  the  name  of  NEW 
ENGLAND. 

5.  Smith  afterwards  made  an  attempt  to  transport  a  colony 
thither,  which  was  unsuccessful ;  and  New  England  might 
long  have  remained  the   abode  of  wild   boasts   and   savages 
only,  had  not  motives,  more  powerful  than  the  love  of  gain 
or  of  perilous  adventures,  impelled  men,  differing  from  all 
others  who  had  been  the  founders  of  colonies,  to  select  it  as 
the  place  of  their  residence. 

6.  In  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century,  James  I. 
asserted    and   maintained    a  despotic    power  over  the  con 
sciences  of  his  English  subjects.     All  wTho  presumed  to  dis, 
sent  from  the  creed  which  he  had  adopted  were  persecuted 
with  extreme  rigor.     In  that  age,  the  maxirn  was  avowed  by 
ecclesiastics  of  all  sects,  as  well  as  politicians,  that  unjfor- 

.  mity  in  religion  was  essential  to  the  repose  of  society,  a,nd 


28  MASSACHUSETTS. 

that  it  was  therefore  the  right  and  duty  of  every  sovereign 
to  preserve  it  in  his  dominions,  by  the  exercise  of  all  his 
powers  of  restraint  and  punishment. 

7.  But   free  inquiry  had  lately  received  sucli  an  impulse 
from  the  success  of  -Luther  and  the  other  reformers,  that  the 
civil  authority  was  unable  to  arrest  or  control  it.     Various 
sects  arose,  dissenting  from  the  established  religion,  and  all 
distinguished  by  their  democratic  tenets  respecting  church 
government.     Persecuted  at  home,  a  small  number,  belong, 
ing  to  the  sect  which  were  afterwards  called  Independents, 
removed  to  Leyden,  in   Holland,  where  they  formed  a  dis 
tinct  society  under  the  care  of  their  pastor,  the  Rev.  John 
Robinson.     By    their    rigid    virtues   and  exemplary  deport 
ment,  they  acquired  the   respect  of  the  magistrates  and  ci 
tizens. 

8.  After  residing  several  years  in  that  city,  various  consi 
derations  induced  them  to  resolve  to  leave  it.     In  16-18,  they 
applied  to  the  London,  or  South  Virginia,  Company,  for  a 
grant  of  land  in  America ;  and  to  ensure  success,  they  ob 
served,   "that  they  were  well  weaned  from  the  delicate  milk 
of  the  mother   country,  and   inured   to  the   difficulties   of  a 
strange  land  ;  that  they  were  knit  together  by  a  strict  and 
sicred  bond,  by  virtue  of  which  they  held  themselves  bound 
to  take  care   of  the   good  of  each  other  and  of  the  whole  ; 
that  it  was   not  with    them  as  with  other  men,  whom  small 
things  could  discourage,  or  small  discontents  cause  to  wish 
themselves  home  again." 

9.  A  grant  was  obtained,  and  in  September,  1G20,  a  part 
of  them  set  sail  for  Hudson's  river  ;  but  the  master  of  the 
ship,    bribed,    it    is    said,    by   the   Dutch,  who    claimed  the 
sole  right  of  trading  in  that  quarter,  carried  them  farther 
north;  and  the   first  'land  they   discovered  was  Cape  Cod. 
This,  they  were  aware,  was  beyond  the  limits  of  the  Lon 
don  Company,  but  it  was  now  November,  and  too  late  in 
the  season  to  put  again  to  sea.     They  therefore  determined 
to  land  at  the  first  pi  ice  they  could  find  suitable  for  a  set 
tlement. 

10.  Bafora  leaving  the  ship,  the  heads  of  familios  and  free 
men,  forty-one  in  number,  signed  a  solemn  covenant,  com 
bining  themselves  into  a  body  politic  for  the  purpose  of  mak 
ing  equal  lav/s  for  the  general  good.     They  ordained  that  a 
governor  and  assistant  should  be  annually  chosen  ;  but  the 
sovereign   power  remained  in   the  whole  body  of  freemen. 
John  Carver  was  elected  governor.  "^-^ 

11.  On  the  llth  of  December,  [O.  S.,]  they  landed  on  a 


MASSACHUSETTS.  29 

desolate  coast.  Sterile  sands  and  gloomy  forests  were  the 
only  objects  that  met  their  view.  The  severity  of  the 
cold,  greater  than  they  had  ever  experienced,  admonished 
them  to  seek  protection  against  it ;  and  their  first  employ- 
mciit  was  the  erection  of  hats  in  the  most  convenient  and 
sheltered  situations.  In  these  miserable  abodes  they  passed 
the  winter,  those  at  least  who  survived  it.  By  the  suc 
ceeding  spring,  one  half  of  their  number  had  perished, 
exhausted  by  continual  suffering,  and  by  the  privation  of 
every  worldly  comfort  which  they  had  been  accustomed  to 
enjoy. 

12.  Their  settlement  was  found  to  be  within  the  limits  of 
the   Plymouth   Company,    from    which    they   solicited    and 
obtained  a  grant  of  land  ;  but  they  were  never  incorporated 
by  the  king.     They  callo#  the  place  New  Plymouth.    They 
of! en  received  small  additions  to  their  number,  which,  in 
1630.  amounted  to  three-  hundred. 

13.  In  the  mean  time,   the  same  causes  that  drove  Mr. 
Robinson  and  his  congregation  from  England  had  continued 
to   operate.     A    class    of  dissenters,   denominated    puritans 
from  tiie  austerity  of  their  manners,  and  from  their  claims 
to  superior  purity  in  worship  and  discipline,   had  become 
numerous  ;  and   as,    by   their   new  mode  of  worship,  they 
violated  the  laws  of  the  land,  they  were  prosecuted  as  crim 
inals.     Their  faith  was  confirmed  and  their  zoal  increased 
by  their  sufferings ;  and   having  learned  that  complete  re 
ligious  freedom  was  enjoyed  at  New  Plymouth  in  America, 
they  naturally  directed  their  thoughts  to  that  country,  as  a 
secure  asylum  from  persecution. 

14.  In  1,6:27,  an  association  of  puritans,  residing  at  Dor 
chester   and  the   vicinity,    was  formed    for  the    purpose    of 
planting  a  colony  in  New  England,  to  which  they  arid  their 
brethren  might  repair,  and,  in  seclusion  and  safety,  worship 
God  according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience.     They  obtained 
from  the  Plymouth  Company  a  grant  of  the  territory  which 
now  constitutes  a  part  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  and 
sent  over,   under  the  direction  of  John    Endicott,  a  small 
number  of  people,  to  begin   a  plantation.     These,  in  Sep 
tember,  landed  at  a  place  called,  by  the  Indians  Naumkeak, 
and,  by  themselves,  Salem. 

15.  The  next   year,   they  obtained    a   charter   from   the 
crown,   by  which   the  usual  powers  of  a  corporation  were 
coaifvrrod  upon  the  grantees,  by  the  name  of  the  "Governor 
and   Company  of  Massachusetts    Bay,   in   New  England." 
^t  ordained,  that  the  officers  of  the  company  should  be  a 

3* 


30  MASSACHUSETTS. 

governor,  a  deputy-governor,  and  eighteen  assistants,  to  be 
named,  in  the  first  instance,  by  the  crown,  and  afterwards 
elected  by  the  corporation.  Four  stated  meetings  of  all  the 
members  were  to  be  held  annually,  under  the  denomination 
of  the  General  Court,  at  which  they  were  authorized  to 
admit  freemen  or  members,  and  to  make  such  ordinances  or 
laws,  not  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  'England,  as  they  might 
deem  expedient.  The  colonists,  and  their  descendants,  were 
declared  to  be  entitled  to  all  the  rights  of  natural  born 
English  subjects. 

16.  At  a  General  Oi"*,  held  at  London,   in   1629,  the 
officers  prescribed  by  the  charte'r  were  elected,  and  several 
ordinances  were  adopted  for  the  government  of  the  com 
pany.     Three  hundred  people  were  sent  over,  of  whom  one 
hundred,  dissatisfied  with  the  situation  of  Salem,  removed 
to  Charlestown.     Religion  wras  the  first  object  of  their  care 
in  the  country  they  had  adopted. *|  A  religious  covenant  was 
agreed -upon,  and  a  confession  6f  faith  drawn  up,  to  which 
their    assent  was   given.     Pastors  were   chosen,  and   were, 
from  necessity,  installed  into  their  sacred  offices  by  the  im 
position  of  the  hands  of  the  brethren. 

17.  The  ensuing  winter  was  a  period  of  uncommon  suf 
fering   and  sickness.     The  cold   was    intense ;  the    houses 
were  unfinished  ;  the  provisions  were  insufficient  and  un 
wholesome.  Before  spring,  nearly  half  their  number  perished, 
"  lamenting  that  they  could  not  live  to  see  the  rising  glories 
of  the  faithful." 

18.  These  calamities  had -some  effect  in  deterring  others 
from  joining  them;  but  the  'consideration  that  the  general 
courts  were  held,  the  officers  elected,  and  the  laws  enacted, 
in   London,  had  still  greater  influence.     It  did  not  comport 
with  the  views  and  dfeelings  of  those  who  disdained  to  sub- 
mil  to  authority  in  matters  -of  faith,  to  consent  to  remove 
to  the  new  world,   and  there  be  governed  by  laws  which, 
they    could    have    no    part    in    enacting.      Representations 
to    this    effect  were  made    to   the  company,  who   resolved 
that  the  government  and  patent  should  be  removed  to  Mas . 
gachus-'tts. 

19.  This   wise    resolution    gave  such  encouragement   to 
emigration,  that,  in   1639,  more  than  fifteen  hundred  per 
sons  came  over,  and  founded   Boston   and  several  adjacent 
towns.     Of  these  persons,   all  were  respectable,  and  many 
were    from    illustrious    and    noble    families.     Having    been 
accustomed  to  a  life  of  ease  and  enjoyment,  their  sufferings, 
the  first  vear,  were  great,  and  proved  fatal  to  many ;  among 


'•others,  to  the  lady  Arabella,  who,  to  use  the  words  of  an 
eaily  historian  of  the  country,  "came  from  a  paradise  df 
Aplenty  and  pleasure, dn  the  family  of  a  noble  earl,  into  a  wil 
derness  of  wants;  and  although  celebrated  for  her  many  vir 
tues,  yet  was  net  able  to  encounter  the  adversity  she  was 
surrounded  with  :  and,  in  about  a  month  after  her  arrival, 
she  ended  her'days  at  Salem,  where  she  first  landed."  Mr. 
Johnson,  her  husband,  overcome  with  grief,  survived  her 
but  a  short  time. 

20.  Before    December   two   hundred    perished.     On    the 
24th  of   that  month,  the    cold    became    intense.     Such    a 
Christmas-eve  they  had  never  before  known.     Yet  the  in 
clemency    of  the    weather    continued    to    increase.      They 
were  almost  destitute  of  provisions,  and  many  were  obliged 
to  subsist    on    clams,  muscles,  and    other    shell   fish,  with 
nuts  and  acorns -instead  of  bread.     Many  more  died;  but  in 
this   extremity,    that   ardor  of  conviction  which  compelled 
-them  to  emigrate,   remained    in  full  force-,   and    they  met, 
with  a  firm,  unshaken  spirit,  the  calamities  which  assailed 
them. 

21.  One   great  object  of  the   puritans,  in  retiring  to  the 
unoccupied  regions  of  New  England,  V/as  the  establishment 
of  a   religious  commonwealth,  as  nearly  upon  the  model  of 
that  of  the  Jews   as  the   difference   of  circumstances  would 
admit.     To   accomplish  this   object, "they  deemed   it   neces- 
•'•sary,  and   at   a  general    court,  held;  in   1631,  they  ordained, 
that  none  but  those  who  had  made  a  profession  of  religion, 
and  had   become   members  of  some   church,  should  bo  ad 
mitted  members  of  the  corporation,  or  enjoy  the  prrviljge  oT 
voting. 

22.  This  law  has  been  too  severely  censured  by  those  who 
have  lived  in  mrtre  liberal  and  enlightened  times.     It  contra 
dicted   none   of  the  professions  o-f  the  .puritans-     It  was  in 
strict  accordance  with  the  avowed  motives  ef  their  emigra 
tion.     It  exhibited  less  intohfrantj  than  was  thon  displayed 
by  every  other  natien.     It  violated  the  rights  of  no  one,  for 
no  one  could  claim  a 'right  to  come  into  the  territory  which 
they  had  purchased.     And  it  was   doubtless  essential,  such 
was  then  the  'temper  of  man's   minds,  to  the  repose  ef  their 
little  society. 

23.  The  colonists  had  frequently  boon  alarmed,  but  neV<* 
yet  attacked,  by  the  Indians.     Tlu-ss  were  not.  m  fact,  in  a 
condition  to  do  much  injury.     A  fjw  years  before  the  arri 
val  of  the    English,  a   contagious  distemper   swept  away  8. 
great  number,  almost  exterminating  several  tribes.     In 


3&  MASSACHUSETTS. 

the  small  pox  destroyed  many  who  had  survived  the  pesti- 
lence  ;  and  the  territory,  contiguous  to  the  first  settlements 
of  the  English,  seemed  to  have  been  providentially  made  va. 
cant  for  their  reception.  As  an  attack  from  this  quarter 
was,  however,  possible,  and  as  the  French,  who  had  a  trad-. 
ing.  establishment  at  Acadia,  had  discovered  some  symptoms 
of  hostility,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  erect  fortifications 
at  Boston,  and  other  places,  and  to  open  a  correspondence 
with  their  neighbors  at  New  Plymouth. 

24.  So  far  from  the  capital  Imd  the  settlements  extended, 
that  it  was  found  extremely  inconvenient  for  all  the  freemen 
to  assemble  and  tr.ansa.ct  the  necessary  public  business.     In 
1634,  the  mode   of  legislation   was   altered,  by  the   general' 
consent  of  the  towns.     They  delegated  to  twenty-four  repre 
sentatives  the  authority  granted,  by,  the  charter,  to  the  whole 
body- of  freemen.     This  important  alteration  was  adopted  the 
more  readily,  as  the   emigrants   had   been   familiar,  in  their 
Dative  country,  with  the  representative  system.     The  appel 
lation  of  General  Court,  which,  had  been  applied  to  all  tho 
freemen  when  assembled,  was  now  transferred   to   their   re 
presentatives. 

25.  In   the   same   year.*  Roger  Williams,   the  minister  of 
Salem,  having  occasioned  disturbances,  by  advancing  tenets 
considered  not  only  heretical  but  seditious,  and  being  found 
irreclaimable,  was  ordered  to-  leave  the  colony.     He  retired 
to   Relioboth,    which   was   then  within   the  jurisdiction   of 
Plymouth. 

26.  In    1635,    Massachusetts    received    from    England  a 
large  number   of  inhabitants  ;  and   among  them    came  two 
who   afterwards   acted    conspicuous   parts   in   the   affairs  of 
their  native  country.     One  was  Hugh  Peters,  who  was  sub. 
sequently  a   chaplain   of  Oliver   Cromwell ;  the    other   was 
Mr.  Vane,  afterwards  sir  Henry  Vane.     The  latter  was  but 
twenty-five  years  of  age  ;  but  by  his  show  of  great  humility, 
his  grave  and  solemn  deportment,  and  his  ardent  professions 
of  attachment  to  liberty,  he  stole  the  hearts  of  tiie  puritans, 
and,  the  year   after  his  arrival,  was  made   governor  of  tho 
colony. 

22.  His  popularity,  however,  was  transient.  During 
his  administration,  the  celebrated  Mrs.  Hutch  insori,  a 
woman  who  was  distinguished  for  her  eloquence,  and  had 
imbibed  the  enthusiasm  of  the  age,  instituted  weekly 
meetings  for  persons  of  her  own  sex,  in  which  she  corn, 
inented  on  the  sermons  of  the  preceding  Sunday,  and  ad- 
TCanced  certain  mystical  and  extravagant  doctrines.  These 


MASSACHUSETTS.  33 

Spread  'rapidly  among  -the  people,  and  ma'riy  became  con 
verts. 

28.  Governor   Vane,  with   Mr.   Cottbn   and  "Mr.  Wheel 
wright,  two   distinguished   clergymen,  embraced  them  with 
ardor ;  hnt  lieutentant-governor  Wintlirop,  and   a  majority 
of  the    churches    deemed    them    heretical    arid    seditious. 
Groat  excitement  was  produced  among  'the   people  ;  many 
conferences  were  held  ;  public  T  fasts  were   appointed;  a  ge 
neral  synod  was  summoned ;  and   after  much   intemperate 
discussion,  her  opinions   were  determined  :to  be  erroneous-, 
and  she  and  some  of  heir  adherents  were   bariished  from  the 
colony. 

29.  Not  being   again  chosen  governor,  ;Vane  returned  in 
disgust  to  England,  engaged  in   the  civil  wars,  which  soon 
after  afflicted  that  country,  sustained  high  offices  in  the  re. 
publican  party,  and  after  the  restoration  of  Charles  II.,  wjis 
accused  of  high   treason,  convicted,  arid  executed.     Peters 
pursued  a  similar  career,  and  met  With  the  same  fate. 

30.  In  such  high  repute,  at  this  time,  were  the  settlements 
in  Massachusetts,  that  fcther  Englishmen,  still  more  conspic 
uous,  had  determined  to   leave  their  native  land,  that  they 
might  enjoy,  in  a  desert,  the  civil  and  religious  liberty  which 
was  denied  them  at  home.     Among  these  were  Mr.  Hanib- 
den,  sir  Arthur  Hasalrig,  and  Oliver  Cromwell,  whom  king1 
Charles,  by  express  order,  detained,  when  on   the  point  of 
embarking.     Little  did  he  imagine  that,  by  this  act  of  arbi 
trary  power,  he  kept  within  his  kingdom  those  restless  vota. 
rics   of  freedom,  who  were  destined  to  Overturn  his  throne, 
and  bring  his  head  to  the  block. 

31.  By  the  settlement  of  $Lissaclmsetts,  the  attention  of 
emigrants  was  diverted  from  the  colony  of 'Plymouth,  where 
the  soil  was   less  fertile.     It  nevertheless   continued  to  in 
crease,  although  slowly,  in  population.  .In  1G33,  the  govern 
ment  of  that  colony  built  a  trading   house,  near  Hartford, 
which  was  the  first  biiildirig  erected  within  the  boundaries  of 
Connecticut.      Soon   after,   many  persons  repaired  thither 
from   Massachusetts.      In    1636,   Roger  Williams  laid  the 
foundation   of  Jlhode    Island.     Subsequently,   New  1 1  am  p. 
shire  and  New  Haven  were  founded,  which  increased  to  five 
'the  number  of  colonies  in  New  England. 

32.  The  rapid  progress   of  the   English  settlements  ex- 
'cited   the  jealousy  of  the   natives.      They   had  welcomed, 
without   fear,    the   emigrants  who  first   landed,    not   antici- 
ipatmg  their  -future  encroachments.     The  experience  of  a 


$4  MASSACHUSETTS. 

few  years  convinced  them  that  they  must  either  extennL 
natc  these  invaders  of  their  country,  or  be  themselves  exicr. 
minated. 

33,  Within  tlie  boundaries  of  Rhode  Island  and  Connec 
ticut,  lived  two  warlike  tribes,  the  Pequods  and  Narragan- 
sets.     The  former  were   hostile,  the   latter  friendly,  to  the 
whites.     Between  the  two  tribes  an  inveterate  enmity  exist* 
ed ;  but  the  more   sagacious   and  politic   Pequods  proposed 
that  all   animosities,  should  be  forgotten,  and  their  united 
Strength  directed  against  their  invaders,  before  they  had  be 
come  too  strong   to  be  resisted.     At  first  the  Narragansets 
wavered  ;  but  their  hatred   of  the  Pequods  overpowered  the- 
suggestions  of  policy..     They  disclosed  the  proposal  to  the 
English,  and  invited  them  to  join  in  a  war  against  their  com 
mon  enemy. 

34,  The  colonies  were  roused  to  a  sense    of  their  dan* 
ger.     In  1G3J,  Massachusetts,  Plymouth,  and  Connecticut, 
agreed  to  unite    their    forces,  and    attempt    the  entire  de 
struction    of   the    Pequods.     Captain    Mason,  with    eighty 
men,    principally    from    Connecticut,    and    three    hundred 
friendly  Indians,  was    immediately  sent   into    the    country 
Qf  the  enemy.     Early  in  the  morning  o£  the  26th  of  May, 
he  attacked  one  of  the  principal  villages,  which  had  been 
surrounded    with    palisades.     The     resistance    was     brave 
and  obstinate,   and  the  issue  of  the    battle    for  some  time 
fjoubtful ;    but  the  whites,  forcing    their  way  into  the  en 
closure,    set  fire    to    the  wigwams,  and  then,  retreating  a 
short   distance,   surrounded   the    town,.     Many  of   the    In-, 
dians  perished  in  the  flames ;.  others   were   shot,    in    their, 
attempts   to   flee.      Of   673    or    six    hundred,    within    tho 
enclosure,  but  few  escaped.     The  Jjlriglish  troops,  of  whom 
two  were  killed  and  sixteen  wounded,  returned  in  triumph  to 
Hartford. 

35,  In  June,    another  body  of  troops,  principally  from, 
Massachusetts,    marched   into-   the    enemy's    country,    surr. 
rounded  a  swamp,  into  which  a  party  of  them  had  retired* 
and  took  eighty  captive.     Some  escaping,  they  were   pur 
sued  to  another  swamp,  situated  near  New  Haven,  where 
the  whole  strength  of  the  tiiibe  was  collected.     This  was, 
in  like   manner,  surrounded  ;  a  sharp  contest  ensued.;-,  but 
the  whites  were  agaiix  victorious.     Two  hundred   Pequocla 
were  killed  or  made  prisoners.     The  remainder  fled  to  tho 
country  of  the  Mohawks.     The  brilliant  success  of  the  En 
glish,  in  this  first,  and  short  war  with  the  natiy.es,  gave  the 


MASSACHUSETTS.  35 

neighboring  tribes  such  an  exalted  idea  of  theifr  prowess, 
that,  for  neaily  forty  years,  they  were  never  attacked  nor  mo* 
losted. 

36.  Ten  years  ha.d  now  elapsed  since  the  first  settlement 
was  made  at  Salem-.     It  has  been  computed  that,  within  that 
time,  twenty-one  thousand  persons  arrived  in  Massachusetts. 
The   dissenters  in   England    having    obtained  the  ascend*, 
ency  in  the  government,  all  motives  for  emigration  ceased  •; 
and  it  is  supposed  that,  for  many  years   afterwards,  more 
persons  returned  to  England,  than  came  from  England  to 
the  colonies. 

37.  Such,  however,  were  the  character  and  virtues  of  tho 
emigrants;  such  the  power  over  difficulties  which  their  re* 
golute  minds,  and  bodies  hardened  by  labor,  had  imparted  to 
them,   that  they   continued  to  increase,   with    astonishing 
rapidity,  in  wealth  and  numbers.     And  a  vote  of  the  house 
of  commons,   stating   that  "the  plantations  in  New  Eng* 
land  had   had   good  and   prosperous  success,   without  a.ny 
public  charge  to  the  state,"  is  quoted  by  a  historian  of  those 
tiinss,  as  an  honorable   testimony  'of  the  high  merit  of  tha 
colonists. 

38.  Circumstances  and  events   had   already  impressed  a 
character  upon  them,  which,  though  softened   in  its  worst 
features  by  the  progress   of  refinement,   still  distinguished 
their  descendants.     Persecution   made  them   bigots ;    piety 
made  them  moral ;    poverty  made  them  frugal ;    incessant 
toil  rnado  them  hardy  arid  robust ;    dreary  solitudes1  made 
them  gloomy  and  superstitious ;  their  numerous  clergy  and 
well-educated  leaders  made  them  venerate  literature  and  the 
sciences, 

31).  Four  of  the  New  England  colonies,  Mansa6hil6Vf.t4) 
Connecticut,  Plymouth,  and  Now  Haven,  apprehending  dun* 
ger  from  the  Indians,  from  the  Dutch,  at  New  York,  and 
from  tho  French,  at  Acadia,  formed,  in  1643,  a  firm  and  per. 
{tettial  league,  offensive  and  defensive.  By  the  articles  of 
this  league,  each  colony  was  to  appoint  two  commissioners, 
who  wei'e  to  assemble,  by  rotation,  in  the  respective  colo* 
rues,  and  were  empowered  to  enact  ordinances  of  general 
concern ;  and,  in  case  of  invasion,  each  colony  was  bound, 
upon  the  application  of  throe  magistrates  of  the  invaded  co. 
hniy,  to  furnish  a  stipulated  proportion  of  men  and  money. 

40.  Strengthened  by  this  league,  the  colonies  were  re 
spected  by  their  civilized  and  savage  neighbors.  With  the 
French,  under  D'Aulnoy,  Massachusetts  had  a  long  and 
troublesome  dispute ;  which  was  adjusted,  in  1644,  by-  a. 


36  MASSACHUSETTS. 

treaty  made  by  governor  Endicott,  and  afterwards  ratified  by. 
the  commissioners. 

41.  When  representatives  were  first  chosen,  they  sat  and 
voted  in  the  same  chamber  with  the  assistants.  In  1635, 
when  Mr.  Hooker  applied  for  permission  to  form  a  settle 
ment  on  Connecticut  river,  a  majority  of  the  assistants  voted 
against  granting  permission  ;  but  a  majority  of  the  whole  as 
sembly  in  favor  of  it.  The  representatives  contended  that  a 
majority  of  the  assistants  was  not  necessary,  and  that  the 
vote  had  passed  in  the  affirmative.  The  assistants  claimed 
to.be  a  distinct  branch  of  the  legislature,  and  contended  that 
it  had  passed  in  the  negative. 

42..  No  provision  having  been, made  for  a  case  of  this  kind, 
an  adjournment,  for  a  week,  took  place  ;  a  public  llu*t  was 
appointed,  and, the  divine  direction  implored  in  all  the  con- 
gregaliops.  When  the  assembly  again  met,  a  sermon  was 
preached,  by  Mr.  Cotton,  which  induced  the  representatives 
to  yield  to  the  claim  of  the  assistants.  In  1644,  the  dispute 
was  renewed,  and  the  assistants  were  victorious.  The  re 
presentatives  then  proposed  that  tho  two  classes  should  sit 
apart,  arid  form  distinct  bodies,  and  in  this  proposition  the 
assistants  concurred. 

43.  Tho  contest  between  ths  king  and  parliament  at  length 
resulted  in  open  war :  and  the  New  England  colonies,  actu 
ated  by  the  samo  feelings  as  the  puritan*  in   England,  em 
braced,  with  ardor,  the  cause  of  the  latter.     The  parliament 
rewarded  this  attachment  by  exempting  them  from  ail  taxes  ; 
and  when   the   supreme  authority  devolved  upon  Cromwell, 
as  protector  of  the  liberties  of  England,  they  found  in  him  a 
friend  no  less  sincere  and  zealous. 

44.  After  the  conquest,  of  Ireland,  he  invited  them  to  ro 
turn  and  settle   in  that  country ;  and,  subsequently,  having 
conquered  Jamaica,  he  endeavored  to  persuade  them  to  re 
move  to  that  fertile  island,  and  more  congenial  climate.  But 
his  arguments  and  solicitations  were  unavailing.     They  en- 
jpyed  in  their  present  abodo,  complete  religious  freedom,  and 
that  privilege  they  were  unwilling  to  hazard  m.  pursuit  of 
advantages  less  essential  to  their  happiness. 

45.  In   1641,  the  settlements   of  New   Hampshire  were 
incorporated   with   Massachusetts.     And,   in   1652,  the   in. 
habitants  of  tho  province  of  Maine  were,  at  their  own  re- 
quest,    taken    under   her    protection.      This    province    had. 
been   granted  to  sir  Ferdinand  Gorges,  who,  in   1639,  first 
established    a    government    over    it.      In   1640,   a  general* 

as  held  at  Saco...    Upon /the  death  of  the  proprietor^. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  37 

in  1C49,  most  of  the  officers  whom  he  had  appointed,  de 
serted  it,  and  the  people  found  it  necessary  to  resort  else 
where  for  protection. 

46.  In  1656,  several  Quakers  arrived  in  the  colony.     In 
this  age  cf  enthusiasts,  these  sectarians  partook  of  the  all- 
pervading   enthusiasm.     The   behavior   of  some   of  them, 
moved  as  they  doubtless  supposed  by  a  divine  impulse,  gave 
great   offence    to  the    rigid  puritans.     For   their   conduct, 
inconsistent  with  the  high  respect  which  was  thought  to  be 
due  to  magistrates  and  ministers,  they  were  first  imprisoned 
and  them  banished.     A  law  was  passed  prohibiting  Quakers 
from  coming  into  the  colony,  imposing  tho  penalty  of  ban- 
ishment  upon  the  first  offence,  and  of  death  upon  such  as 
should  return  after  banishment.     Four,    who  were  so  ex 
cited  as  to  return  and  obtrude  themselves  upon  the  notice  of 
the  government,  suffered  the  death  which  they  appeared  to 
seek.     This  cruel,  unjust,  and  impolitic  law  vvas  soon  after 
wards  repealed. 

47.  Cromwell,  who  had  governed  England  with  greater 
ability  and  higher  merit  than  most  of  her  kings,  died  in 
1658,  and  after   an  interval  of  two  years,  Charles  II.,   a 
prince  destitute  of  honor  and   virtue,    was    recalled    from 
exile,    and    placed   upon    the  throne.     lie  was  reluctantly 
acknowledged  by  the  colonies  of  New  England.     They  had 
been  the  favorites  of  the  parliament  and  the  protector,  and 
apprehended,  with  good  reason,  the  loss  of  their  civil  and 
religious  privileges. 

48.  A  short  time  after,  Whalley  and  Goffo,  two  of  the 
judges  who  had  sentenced  Charles  I.  to  be  b?headed,  hav 
ing  fled  before  the  return  of  his  successor,   arrived  in  New 
England.     Thoir  first  place  of  residence  was  Cambridge ; 
but  they  often  appeared  publicly  in  Boston,  particularly  on 
Sundays  and  other  days  of  religious  solemnities.     They  had 
sustained  high  rank  in  Cromwell's  army,  were  men  of  un 
common  tulents,  and  by  their  dignified  manners  and  grave 
deportment,  commanded  universal  respect. 

49.  As  soon  as  it  was  known  that  they  were  excepted 
from  the  general  pardon,  the    governor  suggested   to   the 
rourt  of  assistants  the  expediency  of  arresting   them.     A 
majority  opposed  it,  and  many  members  of  the  general  court 
gave    them    assurances  of  protection.     Considering   them 
selves,  however,  unsafe  at  Cambridge,  they  removed  to  New 
Haven,  where  they  were  received  with  great  respect  by  the 
plorgy  and  magistrates. 

50.  After  a  short  residence  there,  enjoying,  in  private, 


38  MASSACHUSETTS. 

the  society  of  tlieir  friends,  the  governor  of  Massachusetts 
received  a  mandate  to  arrest  thorn,  A  warrant  was  imme 
diately  issued,  authorizing  two  zealous  loyalists  to  seareh 
for,  and  sei^e  them,  wherever  found,  in  New  England. 
They  hastened  to  the  colony  of  New  Haven,  exhibited  the 
warrant  to  the  governor,  who  resided  at  Guilford,  and  re 
quested  him  to  furnish  authority  and  assistants  to  pursue 
them.  Desirous  of  favoring  the  exiles,  he  affected  to  deli 
berate  until  the  next  morning,  and  then  utterly  declined 
acting-  officially,  without  the  advice  of  his  council. 

51.  In  the  mean  time,  they  were  apprized  of  their  dan 
ger,  and  retired  to  a  new  place  of  concealment.     The  pur 
suers,  on  arriving  at  New  Haven,  searched  every  suspected 
house,  except  the  one  where  the  judges  were    concealed. 

'  This  they  began  to  search,  but  were  induced  by  the  address 
of  the  mistress  of  it,  to  desist.  When  the  pursuers  had 
departed,  the  judges,  retiring  into  the  woods,  fixed  their 
abode  in  a  cave. 

52.  Having  there  heard  that  their  friends  were  threat 
ened  with  punishment,  for  having  afforded  them  protection, 
they  came  from  their  hiding  place  for  the  purpose  of  deliver 
ing  themselves  up ;  but  their  friends,  actuated  by  feelings 
equally  noble  and  generous,  persuaded  them  to  relinquish 
their  intention.    Soon  after,  they  removed  to  Milford,  where 
they  remained  about  two  years. 

53.  Upon  the  arrival  of  other  persons,  instructed  to  ap 
prehend  them,  they  repaired  privatoly  to  Hadley,  in  Mas 
sachusetts,    where    they   resided    fifteen   or  sixteen   years, 
but  few  persons  being  acquainted  with  the  place  of  their 
concealment.     There  is,  in  that  neighborhood,  a  tradition, 
that  many  years  afterwards  two    graves    were    discovered 
in    the    minister's   cellar;  and   in  these,    it   was   supposed, 
they  haxl  been  interred.      At  New  Haven,  two  graves  are 
shown,  said  to  be  those  of  the  two  judges.     It  is  not  im 
probable  that  tlieir  remains  were  removed  t&  this  place  from 
Hadley. 

54.  A  singular  incident   which    occurred    at    the    latter 
place,  in  1675,  shows   that  one  of  these  illustrious  exiles 
had  not  forgotten  the  avocations  of  his  youth.    Tho  people, 
at  the  time  of  public  worship,  were  alarmed  by  an  attack 
from  the  Indians,  and  thrown  into  tbe  utmost  confusion. 
Suddenly,  a  grave,  elderly  person  appeared,  differing  in  his 
mien  and  dress  from  all  around  him.     He  put  himself  at 
their  head,  rallied,  encouraged,  and  led  them  against  the 
enemy,   who  were  repulsed  and   completely   defeated.     As 
suddenly,  the  deliverer  of  Hadley  disappeared.     The  people 


MASSACHUSETTS.  39 

lost  in  amazement,  and  nianj  verily  believed  that  an 
angel  sent  from  heaven  had  led  thorn  to  victory. 

55.  Their  treatment  of  the  king's  judges,  and  in  truth  all 
their  conduct,  evinced  the  republican  spirit  of  the  colonists. 
By  the  royal  government  of  England,  they  could  not,  there 
fore,   be    regarded  with  favor.     In    16G3,   it  was   enacted, 
that  no  European  commodity  should  be  imported  into  the 
(Colonies,    unless   shipped   directly   from    England,    and    in 
British    vessels.      By   this  regulation,  in    connection   with 
others  that  had  been  previously  made,  all  the  trade  of  the 
colonies  was  secured  to  the   mother  country-     They  sub 
mitted  reluctantly  to  these  restrictions,  and  often  made  them 
the  subject  of  complaint.     Bat  England,  believing  that  they 
augmented  her  wealth   and  power,   obstinately  refused  to 
repeal  them. 

56.  In  1664,  the  king  despatched  four  commissioners  to 
visit  the  several  colonies  in  New  England,  to  examine  into 
their  condition,  to  hear  and  decide  complaints,  and  to  make 
to  him  a  report  of  their  proceedings  and  observations.    This 
measure  was  dictated  by  no  friendly  motive,  and  was  consi 
dered  by  the  colonies  as  a  violation  of  their  charters. 

57.  The  first  session  of  the  commissioners  was  at   Ply 
mouth,  where  but  little  business  was  transacted ;  the  next  in 
Rhode  Island,  where  they  heard  complaints  from  the  Indians, 
and  all  who  were  discontented,  and  made  divers  determina 
tions  respecting  titles  to  land,  which  were  but  little  regarded. 
In  Massachusetts,  the  general  court  complied  with  such  of 
their  requisitions  as  they  thought  proper  ;  but,  professing 
sincere  loyalty  t©  his  majesty,  declined  acknowledging  their 
authority,  and  protested  against  the  exercise  of  it  within 
their  limits. 

58.  In  consequence  of  this  manly  assertion  of  their  char 
tered  lights,  an  angry  correspondence  took  place  between 
them,  at  the  close  of  which  the  commissioners  petulantly 
told  the  general   court,   "  that  they  would  lose  no  more  of 
their  labors  upon  them,"  but  would  represent  their  conduct 
to  his  majesty. 

59.  From  Boston,  the  commissioners  proceeded  to  New 
Hampshire,  where  they  exercised  several   acts  of  govern 
ment,  and  offered  to  release  the  inhabitants  from  the  juris 
diction    ef  Massachusetts.      This  offer  was    almost  unani 
mously  rejected.     In  Maine,  they  excited  more  disturbance. 
They  encouraged  the  people  to  declare  themselves  inde 
pendent,   and  found  many  disposed  to    listen  to  their  sug 
gestions;    baat   Massachusetts,   by  a   prompt  and  vigorous 


40  MASSACHUSETTS. 

exertion  of  power,  constrained  the  disaffected  to  submit  to 
her  authority. 

GO.  Connecticut  appears  to  have  been  the  favorite  of  the 
commissioners.  She  treated  them  with  respect,  and  corn, 
plied  with  their  requisitions.  In  return,  they  made  such  a 
representation  of  her  merits  to  the  king,  as  to  draw  from  him 
a  letter  of  thanks.  "Although,5"  says  he,  "your  carriage 
doth  of  itself  most  justly  deserve  our  praise  and  approbation, 
yet  it  seems  to  be  set  off  with  more  lustre  by  the  contrary 
behavior  of  the  colony  of  Massachusetts." 

61.  At  the  end  of  fifty  years  from  the  arrival  of  the  emi 
grants  at  Plymouth,  the  New  England  colonies  were  sup^ 
posed  to  contain  one  hundred  and  twenty  towns,  and  as 
many  thousand  inhabitants.  The  acts  of  parliament  not 
being  rigidly  enforced,  their  trade  had  become  extensive  and 
profitable.  The  habits  of  industry  and  economy,  which  had 
been  formed  in  less  happy  times,  continued  to  prevail,  and 
gave  a  competency  to  those  who  had  nothing,  and  wealth  to 
those  who  had  a  competency.  The  wilderness  receded  be 
fore  adventurous  and  hardy  laborers,  and  its  savage  inhabi 
tants  found  their  game  dispersed,  and  their  favorite  haunts 
invaded. 

t&.  This  was  the  natural  consequence  of  the  sales  of  land, 
which  were,  at  ail  times,  readily  made  to  the  whites.  But 
this  consequence  the  Indians  did  not  foresee  ;  and  when  they 
felt  it  in  all  its  force,  the  strangest  passions  were  awakened 
which  can  animate  civilised  or  savage  man,  the  love  of 
country  and  of  independence. 

63.  A  leader  only  was  wanting  to  concentrate  and  direct 
their  exertions,  and  Philip,  of  Pokanoket,  sachem  of  a  tribe 
living  within  the  boundaries  of  Plymouth  and  Rhode  Island, 
assumed  that  honorable,  but  dangerous,  station.     His  father 
was  the  friendt  but  he  had  ever  been  the  enemy  of  the  whites ; 
and  this  enmity,  arising  from  causes  of  national  concern, 
had  been  embittered  to  vindictive  hatred  by  their  conduct 
towards  his  elder  brother.     This  brother,  being  suspected 
of  plotting  against  them,  was  seized   by  a  detachment  of 
soldiers,  and  confined  ;  and  the  indignity  so  wrought  upon 
his  proud  spirit,  as  to  produce  a  fever,  that  put  an  end  to* 
his  life. 

64.  Philip  inherited  the  authority  and  proud  spirit  of  his 
brother.     He   exerted  all  the  arts  of  intrigue,  and  powers 
of  persuasion,  of  which  he  was  master,  to  induce  the  In 
dians,  in  all  parts  of  New  England,  to  unite  their  efltbrta 
for  the  destruction  of  the  whites.     He  succeeded  in  form 


MASSACHUSETTS.  41 

ing  a  -confederacy,  able  to  send  into  action  between  three 
and  four  thousand  warriors. 

65.  The  English  were ,  apprized  of  the  plots  of  the  In- 
dians,  and  niadj  preparations  to  meet  their  hostilities.    They 
hoped,  however,  that  the  threatened  storm  would  pass  by,  as 
others  had,  and  that  peace  would  be   preserved.     But  the 
insolence  of  Philip,  and  the  number  of  his  adherents,   in- 
ocreased  daily.;  and,  in  June,  1675,  some  of  them  entered  the 
town  of  -Swanzey,  in  Plymouth,  where,  after  slaughtering 
the  cattle,  and  plundering  the  houses,  they  fired  upon  the 
inhabitants,  killing-  and  wounding  several. 

66.  The  troops  c*f  that  colony  marched  immediately  to 
Swanzey,  and  were  soon  joined  by  a  detachment  from  Mas- 
sachusetts.    The  Indians  tied,  and  marked  the  course  of  their 
flight  by  burning  the  buildings,  and  fixing  en  poles,  by  the 
way-side,  the  hands,  scalps,  and  heads  of  the  whites  whom 
they  had  killed.     The  troops  pursued,  but,  unable  to  over 
take  them,  returned  to  Swanzey. 

67.  The  whale  country  was  alarmed,  and  the  number  of 
troops  augmented.     By  this  array  of  force,  Philip  was  in 
duced  to  quit  his  residence  at  Mount  Hope,  and  take  post 
near  a  swamp  at  Pocasset,  now  Tiverton.     At  that  place, 
the  English  attacked  him,  but  were  repulsed-    Sixteen  whites 
were   killed^  and  the   Indians,  by  this  success,,  were  made 
bolder. 

68,'C'At  this  time,  most  of  the  settlements  were  surrounded 
t>y  thick  forests,  and  the  Indians  lived  intermixed  with  the 
whites.  The  former  were  acquainted,  of  course,  with  the 
dwellings  of  the  latter,  with  their  reads,  and  places  of  re. 
ssort  ^  could  watch  their  motions,  and  fall  upon  them  in  their 
defenceless  aad  unguarded  momenta?  Many  were  shot  dead 
as  they  opened  their  doors  in  the  morning ;  many  while  at 
work  in  their  fields,  and  others  while  travelling  to  visit  their 
neighbors,  or  places  of  worship.  At  aM  times,  at  all  places, 
an  all  employments,  were  their  lives  in  jeopardy ;  and  no 
one  ceuld  teli  but  that,  in  the  naext  moment,  he  should 
receive  his  death  shot  from  his  fearn,  tke  thicket,  or  the 
way-side. 

69.  Whenever  the  e»emy  assembled  in  force,  detachments 
were  sent,  against  them.;  if  weaker  than  these,  they  would 
retreat;  if  stronger,  assault  and  conquer  them.  Defe-neeless 
villages  were  suddenly  attacked,  the  houses  'burned,  and  the 
men.  women,  and  children  killed,  ©r  carried  into  captivity. 
Their  ruin  was  the  work  of  a  msme&t ;  and  when  accom 
plished,  its  authors  vanJieked. 

4* 


42  MASSACHUSETTS. 

70.  The    colonies,  losing   individuals,  families    and  vil 
lages,    found    their    numbers    sensibly    diminished ;    their 
strength  impaired  ;  and  began  to  apprehend  even  total  ex- 
tinction.     Nothing  but  a  vigorous  effort  could  save  them.. 
The    commissioners  met,   and    determined  to  despatch    an 
army  of  a  thousand  men,  to  attack  the  principal  position 
of  the  enemy.     Josiab   Winslew,   governor  of  Plymouth, 
was  appointed  Commander-in-chief ;  and  a  solemn  fast,  to 
invoke   the   divine    aid,   was   proclaimed  throughout   New 
England, 

71.  On  the  18th  of  December,  the  different  bodies  of  troops 
formed  a  junction  at  a  place  in  the  country  of  the  Narra. 
gansets,  about  fifteen  miles  from  the  enemy.     The  weather 
was  extremely  cold,  but  the  men,  from  necessity,  passed  the 
night,  uncovered,  in  ilie  fields.    At  dawn  of  day,  they  began 
their  march,  wading  through   the  deep  snow,  and  at  one 
o'clock,  arrived  near  the  enemy's  post,  which  was  upon  a 
rising  ground,  in  the  midst  of  a  swamp.     It  was  surrounded 
by  palisades,  and  on  the  outside  of  these  was  a  fence  of 
brush,  a  rod  in  width. 

72.  Here  was  fought  the  most  desperate  battb  recorded 
in  the  early   annals   of  the   country.     It   continued    three 
hours.    The  English  obtained  a  decisive  victory.    One  thou 
sand  Indian  warriors  were-  killed  ;  three  hundred  more,  and 
as  many  women  and   children,  were  made   prisoners.     But 
dearly  was  the  victory  purchased.     Six  brave  captains,  and 
eighty  men,  were  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  were 
wounded. 

73.  From  this  blow,  the  confederated  Indians  never  reco 
vered  ;  but  they  still  remained  sufficiently  strong  to  harass 
the   settlements  by  continual  inroads.     In  retaliation,  the 
English  sent  several  detachments  into  their  territories,  neLrly 
all  of  which  were  successful.    Captain  Church,  of  Plymouth, 
and  Captain  Bennison,  of  Connecticut,  were  conspicuous  for 
their  bravery  and  good  fortune. 

74.  In  the  midst  of  these  reverses,1  Philip  remained  firm 
and  unshaken.     His  warriors  were  cut  off;  his  chief  menr 
his  wife  and  family,   were  killed  or  taken  prisoners  ;   and 
at  these  successive  misfortunes,  he  is  represented  to  have 
wept  with  a  bitterness  which    proved    him  to  possess  the 
noblest  of  human  virtues  and  affections ;  but  he  disdained 
to  listen  to  any  offers  of  peace.     He  even  shot  one  of  his 
men,   who   proposed    submission.      At    length,   after   being 
hunted  from  swamp  to  swamp,   he   was  himself  shot,  by 
the  brother  of  the  Indian  he  had  killed/    After  his 


MASSACHUSETTS.  43 

the  remnant  of  his  followers  either  submitted  to  the  English, 
or  united  with  distant  tribes. 

75.  Never  was  peace  more  welcome,  for  never  had  war 
been  more  distressing.    The  whole  population  was  in  mourn- 
ing  for  relatives  slain.     Nearly  a  thousand  houses  had  been 
burned,  and  goods  and  cattle  of  great  value  had  been  plun 
dered  or  destroyed.     The  colonies  had  contracted  a  heavy 
debt,  which,  their  resources  having  been  so  much  diminished, 
they  found  an  almost  insupportable  burden.     But,  in  their 
deepest  distress,  they  forbore  to  apply  to  the  mother  country 
for  assistance  ;  and  this  omission  excited  surprise  and  jea 
lousy.     "  You  act,"    said   a   privy  counsellor,   "  as  though 
you  were  independent  of  our  master's  crown ;  and  though 
poor,  yet  you  are  proud." 

76.  In  1680,  New  Hampshire,  at  the  solicitation  of  John 
Mason,  to  whose  ancestor  a  part  of  the  territory  had  been 
granted,, was  constituted  a  separate  colony.     Massachusetts, 
apprehending  the  loss  of  Maine  also,  purchased  of  the  heirs 
of  Gorges  their  claim  to  the  soil  and  jurisdiction,  for  twelve 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds. 

77.  The  disregard  of  the  acts  of  trade  had  given  great 
offence  to  the  mother  country,  and  the  governors  of  New 
England  were  peremptorily  required  to  enforce  them.     But 
being  enacted  by  a  parliament  in  which  the  colonies  were 
not  represented,  they  were  regarded  as  violations  of  their 
rights,  and  continued  to  be  evaded  with  impunity.     Edward 
Randolph  was  therefore  sent  over,  commissioned  as  inspector 
of  the  customs  in  New  England.     He  was  also  the  bearer 
of  a  letter  from  the  king,  requiring  that  agents  should  be 
sent  to  the  court  of  London,  fully  empowered  to  act  for  the 
colonies. 

78.  It  was  well  understood  to  be  the  intention  of  the 
king  to  procure,  from  the  agents,  a  surrender  of  the  char 
ters,  or  to  annul  them  by  a  suit  in  his  courts,  that  he  might 
himself  place  officers  over  the  colonies,  who  would  be  sub 
servient  to  his  views.     The   inhabitants  of  Massachusetts 
felt  that  to  be  deprived  of  their  charter,  which  secured  to 
them  the  right  of  self-government,  would  be  the  greatest  of 
calamities  ;  and  their  agents  were  instructed,  in  no  emer 
gency,  to  surrender  it.     This  being  known  to  the  king,  a 
prosecution  was  instituted  against  the  corporation,  and,  in 
1684,  a  subservient  court  decreed  that  the  charter  should  be 
cancelled. 

79.  All  impediments  to  -the  exercise  of  the   royal  will 
being  thus  removed,   king   Jamos  established  a  temporary 


44  MASSACHUSETTS. 

government  over  the  colony,  first  appointing  Joseph  Dud- 
ley,  and,  in  1686,  sir  Edmund  Audross,  governor.  This 
latter  appointment  caused  the  most  gloomy  forebodings. 
Sir  Edmund  had  been  governor  of  New  York,  and  it  was 
known  that  his  conduct  there  had  been  arbitrary  and  ty 
rannical. 

80.  Having  secured  a  majority  in  the  council,  he  .assumed 
control  over  Che  press,  appointing  Randolph  licenser.     He 
established  new  and  oppressive  regulations  concerning  taxes, 
public  worship,  marriages,   and  the   settlement   of  estates. 
He,  and,  by  his  permission,  his  subordinate  officers,  extorted 
enormous   fees  for  their  services.      He  declared  that,  the 
charter  being  cancelled,  the  old  titles  to  land  were  of  no 
validity,  and  compelled  the  inhabitants,  in  order  to  avoid 
suits  before  judges  dependent  on  his  will,  to  take  out  new 
patents,  for  which  large  sums  were  demanded. 

81.  The  hatred  of  the  people  was  excited  in  proportion  to 
their  sufferings.    In  the  beginning  of  1689,  a  rumor  reached 
Boston,  that  William,  prince  of  Orange,  had  invaded  Eng 
land,  with  the  intention  of  dethroning  the  king.     Animated 
by  the  hope  of  deliverance,  the  people  rushed  spontaneously 
to  arms,  took  possession  of  the  fort,  seized  Andross,   Ran 
dolph,   and  other  obnoxious  persons,  and  placed  them  in 
confinement.    A  council  of  safety,  consisting  of  their  former 
magistrates,  was  then  organized,  to  administer  the  govern 
ment  until  authentic  intelligence  should  be  received  from 
England., 

82.  In  a  few  weeks,  a  ship  arrived,  bringing  the   glad 
tidings  that  William  and   Mary  were  firmly  seated  on   the 
throne.     They  were  immediately  proclaimed,  in  all  the  co 
lonies,  with  unusual  rejoicings.     The  people  of  Massachu 
setts  applied  for  the  restoration  of  their  old,  or  the  grant  of 
a  new  charter.     A  definite   answer  was  deferred,  but  the 
council  was  authorized  to  administer  the  government,  ac 
cording  to  the   provisions  of  the  old  charter,  until  further 
directions  should  be  given.    Andross,  Randolph,  and  others, 
were  ordered  home  for  trial. 

83.  In  this  unsettled  state  of  the  country,  the  French  in 
Canada  and  Nova  ^cotia  kistigated  the  northern  and  eastern 
Indians  l<>  commence   hostilities  against   the   English  set- 
Clements.     Dover  and   Salmon  Falls,  in   New  Hamsphire, 

Casco,  in  Maine,  and  Schenectady,  in  New  York,  were 
attacked  by  different  parties  of  French  and  Indians,  and 
the  most  shocking  barbarities  perpetrated  upon  the  inha 
bitants. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  45 

84.  Regarding  Canada,  as  the  principal  source  of  their  mi- 
scries,  New  England  and  New  York  formed  the  bold  project 
of  reducing  it  to  subjection.     By  groat  exertion,  they  raised 
an  army,  which,  under  the  command  of  general  Winthrop, 
was  sent   against  Montreal,   and   equipped   a  fleet,  which, 
commanded  by  sir  William  Phipps,  was  destined  to  attack 
Quebec. 

85.  Both  returned  unsuccessful,  disappointing  the   san 
guine  hopes  of  the  people,  and  burdening  them  with  a  debt 
which  they  had  not  the  means  of  discharging.     To  pay  off 
her  troops,  Massachusetts   put  in   circulation  bills  of  credit 
or  paper   money,  an  expedient  which  was  afterwards  often 
resorted  tiu,  and,  though   it  aiforded  relief  at  the   moment, 
produced,   in   its  consequences,  extensive  and   complicated 
mischief. 

86.  In  the  mean  time,  a  new  charter  had  been  granted  to 
Massachusetts,  which   added   Plymouth,   Maine,  and   Nova 
Scotia,  to  her  territory.     The  only  privilege   it  allowed  to 
the  people  was,  the  choice   of  representatives.     These  were 
to  elect  a  council,  and  both  bodies  were  to  constitute  the  le 
gislative  power.     It  reserved  to  the  king  the   right  of  ap 
pointing  the   governor   and    lieutenant-governor.      To   the 
governor  it  gave  the  power  of  rejecting  laws,  of  negativing 
the  choice  of  counsellors,  of  appointing  all  military  and  ju 
dicial  officers,  of  adjourning  and  even  of  dissolving  the  assem 
bly  at  pleasure.     Laws,  although   approved  by   him,  might 
be   abrogated  by  the   king,  within  three  years  after  their 
enactment. 

87.  The  king,  to  rcndor  the  new  charter  more  acceptable, 
appointed  sir  William  Phipps,  a  native  of  the  province,  go 
vernor,  and  in  1692,  he  arrived  at  Boston.     The  new  govern 
ment  went  into  operation  without  any  opposition  from  the 
inhabitants ;  and  almost  the  first  act  of  sir  William  Phipps 
and  his  council,  was  the  institution  of  a  court  to  try  tiie  un 
fortunate  victims  of  popular  delusion,  accused  of  witchcraft, 
at  Salem. 

88.  The  belief  in  this  supposed  crime  had  been  so  prevalent 
in  England,  that  parliament  had  enacted  a  lav/  punishing  it 
with  death.     Under  this  law,  multitudes  had  been  tried  and 
executed  in  that  country,  and  two  or  three  in  Massachusetts, 
some  of  whom  acknowledged  they  were  guilty.     Accounts  of 
these  trials  and  confessions,  and  particularly  of  some  trials 
before  sir  Matthew  Hale,  a  judge   revered   in   the    colonies, 
had  been  published  and  distributed  throughout  the  country. 
They  were  read,  in  a  time  of  deep  distress  and  gloom,  by  a 


46  MASSACHUSETTS. 

people  naturally  sedate,  and  accustomed  to  regard  with  awe 
the  surprising  and  unaccountable  incidents  and  appearances 
which,  in  this  new  world,  were  often  presented  to  their  con- 
ternplation. 

89.  In   February,  1692,!  a  daughter  and  a  niece  of  Mr. 
Paris,  the  minister  of  Salem,  were  afflicted  with  disorders 
affecting  their  bodies   in  the   most  singular  manner.     The 
physicians,  unable  to  account  for  the  contortions,  pronounced 
them  bewitched ;  and  the  children,  hearing  of  this,  declared 
that  an  Indian  woman,   who  lived  in   the   house,  was  the 
cause  of  their  torments.     Mr.  Paris  concurred  with  the  phy 
sicians.     Several  private  fasts  were  kept  at  this  house,  and 
the  gloom  was  increased  by  a  solemn  fast  throughout  the 
colony. 

90.  The   Indian  woman   confessed  herself  guilty.     The 
children    were    visited,    noticed,    and    pitied.       This    en. 
couraged    them    to    persevere,   and    other    children,  either 
from  sympathy  or  the  desire  of  similar  attentions,  exhibited 
similar  contortions.     A  distracted  old  woman,  and  one  who 
had  been  a  long  time  confined  to  her  bed,  were  added  to  the 
list  of  the  accused  j  and,  in  the  progress  of  the  infatuation, 
women  of  mature  age  united  with  the  children  in  their  ac 
cusations. 

91.  The  accused  were  multiplied    in    proportion    to  the 
accusers.     Children    accused   their    parents,    and     parents 
their  children.     A   word    from    those  who    were  supposed 
to  be  afflicted,  occasioned  the  arrest  of  the  devoted  victim  j 
and    so    firmly  convinced   were   the    magistrates,  that   the 
prince  of  darkness  was  in  the  midst  of  them,  using  buinan 
instruments  to  accomplish  his  purposes,  that  the   slightest 
testimony  was  deemed  sufficient  to  justify  a  commitment  for 
trial. 

92.  The  court,  especially  instituted  for  this  purpose,  held 
a  session  in  June,  and  afterwards  severdi  others  by  adjourn, 
ment.     Many  were  tried,  and  received  sentence  of  death.  A 
few  pleaded  guiltv.     Several  were  convicted  upon  testimony, 
which,  at  other  times,  would  not  have  induced  suspicion  of 
an  ordinary  crime,  and  some  upon  testimony  retracted  after 
conviction.  Nineteen  were  executed,  and  many  yet  remained 
to  be  tried. 

93.  At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings,  tlu  legislature  estab 
lished,  by  law,  a  permanent  court,  by  which  the  other  was 
superseded,  and  fixed  a  distant  day  for  its  first  session  at  Sa 
lem.     In  the  mean  time,  the  accusations  multiplied,  and  addi 
tional  jails  were  required  to  hold  the  accused.     The  impostors, 


MASSACHUSETTS.  47 

hardened  by  impunity  and  success,  ascended  from  decrepit 
old  women,  to  respectable  characters,  and  at  length,  in  their 
ravings,  named  ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  even  the  wife  of 
the  governor. 

94.  The  community   were   thrown    into    consternation. 
Each  felt  alarm  for  himself,  his  family,  and  friends.     The 
shock   roused   them   to   reflection.     They  considered  more 
closely  the  character  of  the  accusers ;  the  nature  of  the  al 
leged  crime ;  the  testimony,  often  contradictory  and  never 
explicit ;  and  more  than  all  these,  the  high  standing  of  some 
who  were  implicated ;  and  began  to  doubt  whether  they  had 
not  been  too  credulous  and  precipitate. 

95.  At  the  next  term,  the  grand  jury  found  indictments 
against  fifty ;  but,  on  trial,  all  were  acquitted  accept  three, 
and  them  the  governor  reprieved.     He  also  directed  that  all 
who  were  in  prison  should  be  set  at  liberty.     A  belief,  how- 
ever,  of  the  truth  of  the  charges,  still  lingered  among  the 
people,  and  prevented   any  prosecution   of  the   impostors. 
That  all  were   impostors   cannot  be   believed.     Many  must 
have  acted  under  the  influence  of  a  disordered  imagination, 
which  the  attendant  circumstances  were  well  calculated  to 
produce. 

96.  Besides  establishing  courts  of  justice,  the  legislature, 
at   its  first  session  under  the   new   charter,    passed  a  law 
which  indicates  the  same  independent  spirit  that  afterwards 
resisted    the    usurpations    of    the    British    parliament.       It 
provided  that  no  tax  should   be   imposed  upon   any  of  his 
majesty's  subjects,  or  their  estates,  in  the  province,  but  by 
the  act  and  consent  of  the  governor,  council,  and  represent 
atives    of  the   people,   in    general  court  assembled.      It  is 
almost  superfluous  to  say,  that  this  law  was  disallowed  by 
the  king. 

97.  The  war  with   thet  French  and  Indians,  which  be 
gan    in    1690,  was  not    ve.t    terminated.     For   seven  years 
were    the    frontier    ,«etL.;r^;.nts    harassed    by  the    savages; 
and  the  English  employed        expeditions  against  them.     A 
history  of  these  would  consist    only  of  repeated  accounts 
of  Indian  cunning  and  barbarity,  and  of  English  enterprise 
and  fortitude.     Peace  between  England  and  France,  which 
took  place  in  1697,  was  soon  followed  by  peace  with  the 
savages. 

98.  But  in  a  few  years  war  again  broke  out  in  Euiope, 
which  was  the  signal  for  hostilities  in  America.     The  first 
blow   fell  upon   Deerfield.     In  February,  1704,  it  was  sur 
prised  in  the  night,  about  forty  persons  were  killed,  an<? 


48  MASSACHUSETTS. 

more  than  one  hundred  made  prisoners,  among  whom  were 
Mr.  Williams,  the  minister,  and  his  family.  The  killed 
were  scalped,  and  the  prisoners  commanded  to  prepare  for  a 
long  march  to  Canada. 

99.  On  the  second  day  Mrs.  Williams  was  so  exhausted 
with  fatigue  that  she  could  go  no  farther.     Her  husband  so- 
licited  permission  to  remain  with  her ;  but  the  retreating 
savages,  according  to  their  custom  in  such  cases,  killed  her 
Biid  compelled  him  to  proceed.     Before  the  termination  of 
their  journey,  twenty  more  became  unable  to  walk,  and  were 
in  like  manner  sacrificed.     Those  who  survived  the  journey 
to  Canada,  were  treated  by  the  French  with  humanity ;  and 
after  a  captivity  of  many  years,  most  of  them  were  redeemed, 
and  returned  to  their  friends. 

100.  New  York  having  agreed  with  the  French  and  the 
western  Indians  to  remain  neutral,  these  were  enabled  to  pour 
their  whole  force  upon  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire, 
the  inhabitants  of  which,  for  ten  years,  endured  miseries  pe 
culiar  to  an  Indian  war,  and  more  distressing  than  their  de 
scendants  can  well  imagine.     The  enemy  were  at  afl  times 
prowling  about  the  frontier  settlements,  watching  in  con- 
ccalment  for  an  opportunity  to  strike  a  sudden  blow  and  fly 
with  safety.     The  women  and  children  retired  into  the  gar 
rison  ;  the  men  left  their  fields  uncultivated,  or  labored  with 
arms  at  their  sides,  and  with  sentinels  at  every  point  whence 
an  attack  could  be  apprehended. 

101.  Yet  notwithstanding  these   precautions,  the  enemy 
were  often  successful,  killing  sometimes  an  individual  only, 
sometimes  a  whole  family,  sometimes  a  band  of  laborers,  ten 
or  twelve  in  number ;  and  so  swift  were  they  in  their  move 
ments,  that  but  few  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  wiiites.    It  was 
computed  that  the  sum  of  one  thousand  pounds  was  expend 
ed  for  every  Indian  killed  or  made  captive. 

102.  In  1707,  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  and  Rhode 
Island  despatched  an  armament  against  Port  Royal,  in  Nova 
Scotia,  which  was  then  in  possession  of  the  French.     It  re 
turned  without  accomplishing  its  object.  In  1710  New  Eng 
land,  assisted  by  a  fleet  furnished  by  the  mother  country,  suc 
ceeded  in  reducing  the  place  ;  and  its  name,  in  compliment 
to  queen  Anne,  was  changed  to  Annapolis. 

103.  The    success    of   this    enterprise    encouraged    the 
commander,  general  Nicholson,  to  visit   England  and  pro 
pose  an   expedition  against  Canada.     His  proposition  waa 
adopted,  and   in  June,    1711,   admiral  Walker,  with  a  fleet 
of  fifteen  ships  of  war,   and   forty  transports,  bringing  an 


MASSACHUSETTS.  40 

army  of  veteran  troops,  arrived  at  Boston.  Taking  on 
board  two  additional  regiments,  he  sailed  from  that  port 
about  the  last  of  July.  At  the  same  time  general  Nicholson 
repaired  to  Albany  to  take  command  of  the  troops  that  were 
to  proceed  by  land. 

104.  When  the  fleet  had  advanced  ten  leagues  up  the  river 
St.  Lawrence,  the  weather  became  tempestuous  and  foggy. 
A  difference  of  opinion  arose  concerning  the  course  to  bo 
pursued,  the  English  pilots  recommending  one  course,  and 
the  colonial  another.  The  admiral,  entertaining,  like  all 
other  English  officers,  an  opinion  of  the  abilities  of  the  colo. 
nists,  corresponding  with  their  dependent  condition,  adopted 
the  advice  of  his  own  pilots.  Pursuing  the  course  they  ro- 
commerided,  nine  transports  were  driven,  about  midnight, 
upon  the  rocks,  and  dashed  to  pieces. 

105;  From  every  quarter  cries  of  distress  arose,  convoy 
ing,  through  the  darkness,  to  those  who  were  yet  afloat,  in 
telligence  of  the  fate  of  their  comra.des,  and  of  their  own 
danger.  The  shrieks  of  the  drowning  pleaded  powerfully 
for  assistance,  but  none  could  be  afforded  until  the  morning 
dawned,  when  six  or  seven  hundred,  found  floating  on  the 
scattered  wrecks,  were  rescued  from  death,  more  than  a 
thousand  having  sunk  to  rise  no  more.  Not  a  single  Ameri 
can  was  lost. 

106.  Weakened  by  this  terrible  disaster,  the  admiral  de 
termined   to  return  to   England,    where   he   arrived  in  the 
month  of  October.     Thither  misfortune  attended  him.     On 
the  fifteenth  his  ship  blew  up,  and  four  hundred  seamen  pe 
rished.  •;  The  New  England  troops  returned  to  their  homes, 
arid  Nicholson,  having  learned  the  fate  of  the  fleet,  led  back 
his  troops  to  Albany.     The  next  year  the  colonies  found  no 
repose.       In   1713,    France    and   England    made    peace    at 
Utrecht,  and,  in  the   same  year,  peace  was  concluded  with 
the  Indians. 

107.  Such  was  the  destruction  of  lives  in   this  war,  that 
the  population  of  New  England  was  sensibly  retarded.     Her 
expenses  were  also  enormous.     Although  the  annual  taxes 
paid  by  the  inhabitants  were  greater  than  in  any  other  por 
tion  of  the  British  empire,  yet  the  colonies  most  exposed  were 
burdened,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  with  a  heavy  debt,  in  the 
shape  of  bills  of  credit,  or  paper  money,  which  impeded  their 
prosperity,  perplexing  individuals  and  the  government  in  all 
their  transactions. 

108.  In  1716,  Samuel  Shute,  a  colonel  in  the  army  of  the 
celebrated  duke_  of  Marlborough,  was  appointed  governor 

9 


50  MASSACHUSETTS. 

On  his  arrival  in  the  province,  he  found  the  people  divided 
into  two  parties,  one  in  favor  of  a  public  bank,  which  had 
just  been  established,  the  other  of  the  incorporation  of  a  pri 
vate  bank.  He  joined  the  former  ;  the  latter  of  course  be- 
came  hostile ;  and,  led  by  a  Mr.  Cooke,  opposed  with  viru 
lence  all  his  measures. 

109.  In  1720,  this  party,  embracing  a  majority  of  the  re. 
presentatives,  elected  their  leader  speaker.     The  choice  was 
communicated  to  the  governor,  who  interposed  his  negative 
The  house  persisted  in  their  choice,  denying  his  right  to  in 
terfere.     The  controversy  continued  several  days,  when  the 
governor  dissolved  the  assembly,  and  directed  that  a  new 
election  should  be  made  by  the  people. 

110.  The  charter  not  giving,  in  express  terms,  to  the  go 
vernor,  the  power  to  reject  a  speaker,  the  people  resolved  tc 
support  their  representatives,  and  nearly  all  of  them  were 
again  elected.     When   met,  to  avoid  a  second  dissolution, 
they  chose  a  Mr.  Lindall   speaker ;  but  in   a  warm  remon 
strance  to  the   governor,  condemned  his  conduct,  and  re 
asserted  their  sole  and  exclusive  right  to  choose  their  pre 
siding  officer. 

111.  The  session  was   short,  and  but  little  was  done  that 
did  not  display  the  angry  feelings  of  the  house.     Instead  of 
six  hundred  pounds,  the  usual  grant  to  the  governor  for  half 
a  year's  salary,  they  appropriated  but  five  hundred,  and,  as  a 
mark  of  their  displeasure,  deferred  that  art.  until  near  the 
close  of  the  session. 

112.  At  their  next  meeting,  the  same  feelings  prevailed, 
and  the  same  diminished  sum  was  voted.     The  governor  then 
informed  them,  that  he  had  been  instructed  by  the  king  to 
recommend  to  the  assembly,  to  establish   for  him  a  perma 
nent  and  honorable  salary.     The   house,  aware  of  the  im- 
porta.nce  of  retaining  the  power  of  granting  such  sums  as  the 
governor  might  merit  by  his  conduct,  replied,  that  the  sub 
ject  was  new,  and  expressed   a  wish   that  the   court  might 
rise.     With  this  request  the  governor  complied. 

113.  This  disagreement    continued,    the    ill    temper    of 
both  parties   increasing,   through    several    subsequent   ses 
sions.     The  representatives,  confident  of  the  support  of  the 
people,  refused  to  establish   a  permanent  salary  for  the  go 
vernor,  and  often  withheld  the  pittance  they  gave,  until  he 
had  sanctioned  those  measures  which  they  desired  should  be 
adopted. 

114.  Jlis   residence  in  the   province  being  rendered,  by 
this  dispute,  unpleasant,  he  suddenly  and  privately  quitted 


MASSACHUSETTS.  51 

it,  in  December,  1722.  Upon  his  arrival  in  England,  he 
exhibit**!  charges  against  the  house,  of  having  made  ra- 
rious  encroachments  upon  the  king's  prerogative,  which 
the  agents  of  the  province  were  instructed  to  answer  and 
repal. 

115.  He  remained  in   Engln.nd  until   1728,  when  he  re 
signed  his  office,  and  William  Burnet,  then  governor  of  New 
York,   was   appointed   his   successor.     In   his  first  speech, 
he   informed   the    house   that   he    had  received   positive   in 
structions  from  the  king  to  insist  on  a  permanent  salary. 
The   representatives,   generous   of   their   money,   but   tena 
cious  of  their  rights,  appropriated  three  hundred  pounds  for 
the  expenses  of  his  journey,  and  fourteen  hundred  pounds 
towards  his  support,  not  specifying  for  what  time.    The  first 
sum   ha   accepted  ;    but   absolutely    declined    receiving   any 
compensation  for  his  services,  except  in  the  mode  of  a  fixed 
salary. 

116.  The   delegates  were   equally   decided;  and   having 
transacted  all  their  necessary  business,  requested  the  gover 
nor,  by  message,  to  adjourn  them.    He  replied,  that  lie  could 
not  comply  with  their  request,  as,  if  he  did,  lie  should  put 
it  out  of  their  power  to  pay  immediate  regard  to  the  king's 
instructions.     A  few  days  afterwards,  the  request  was  again 
made  and  again  denied. 

117.  Messages,  containing   arguments  and   replies,  were 
often  interchanged  by  the  parties.     After  two  months  had 
been  consumed  in  the  controversy,  the  governor,  imagining 
the   members  were   influenced    by  the   citizens   of  Boston, 
transferred  the  general  court  to  Salem.    They  were  detained 
there   two  months  ;  were  then   allowed   to  return  to  their 
homes  ;  were  again  assembled  after  a  short  recess  ;  and  hav 
ing  sat  seventeen  days,  were  ngain  adjourned  without  exhi 
biting  any  symptoms  of  compliance. 

118.  A    new  assembly  was   elected,  and  several  sessions 
in  the  summer  of  1729.  displaying-  the  same  spirit  as  the 
former.     In   the    mean  time,   information  was   transmitted 
from   England,  that  the  king  approved  the  conduct  of  the 
governor,   and    condemned   that    of  the    house.      Still    the 
members  continued   inflexible.     In   August,   they  were  re 
moved  to   Cambridge,    which    served   to   exasperate   rather 
than   to  convince   them.     Here,  however,  the  controversy 
was    suspended,    for    a    time,-'  by    the    death    of    the     go 
vern  or, ''which  was   supposed    to    have    been    hastened    by 
his    unsuccessful    contest    with   the   house    of  representa 
tives. 


52  MASSACHUSETTS. 

119.  His  successor  was  'Mr.  Belcher,  then  agent  in  Eng. 
land.     As  he   belonged  to  the   popular  party,  his  appoint 
ment   gave   rise   to  the   expectation,   that  the    instruction, 
to  obtain  a  permanent  salary,  was  withdrawn.     But  from 
his   first   speech   it   appeared,   that   it   was   not   only  unre- 
scinded,  but  enforced  by  a  threat  of  .punishment  in  case  of 
refusal. 

120.  The   house,   unintimidated  by  the   threat,   refused. 
The  governor,  during  the  two  first  years  of  his  administra 
tion,  made  several  attempts  to  -induce  them  to  comply.     All 
failing,  he  endeavored  to  obtain  a  relaxation  of  his  instruc 
tions.     Permission  was   at    length   granted   that   he   might 
receive   a   particular  sum,  which  was  voted,  and  a  similar 
permission  was  afterwards  annually  given.     Thus  ended  a 
contest  which  prepared  the  people  of  Massachusetts  to  em 
bark  in  another  in  which  more  important  rights  were  to  bo 
defended. 

121.  These  turbulent  times  were  succeeded  by  a  calm 
which  continued  several  years ;  during  which,  however,  the 
ejiiemies  of  governor   Belcher,  by  incessant  misrepresenta 
tion,  deprived  him  of  the  favor  df  the  ministry  in  England. 
In   1740,  he  was  removed  from  office,   and  Mr.   William 
Shirley  appointed  in  his  place. 

122.  In  1744,  war  again  broke  out  between  England  and 
Franco,'  and  the   colonies  were  involved  in   its  calamities. 
Their  commerce   and   fisheries   suffered  great   injury  from 
privateers,  fitted  out  at  Louisburg,  a  French  port,  on  capo 
Breton.     Its  situation  gave  it  such  importance,  that  nearly 
six  millions  of  dollars  had  been  expended  on  its  fortifications. 
Mr.  Vaughan,  of  New  Hampshire,  who  had   often  visited 
that  place  as  a  trader,  conceived  the  project  of  an  expedi 
tion  against  it.     He  communicated  it  to  governor  Shirley, 
and,  being  ardent  and  enthusiastic,  convinced  him  that  the 
enterprise  was  practicable,  and  inspired  him  with  his  own 
enthusiasm, 

123.  Having  exacted  of  the  general  court  an  oath  of  se 
crecy,  the  governor,  in  January,  1745,  communicated  to  them 
the  project.     Many  heard  it  with  amazement.     So  strong 
was  the  place,  and  so  weak,  comparatively,  were  the  colo 
nies,  that  the  thought  of  attacking  it  seemed  rash  and  pre 
sumptuous.     From  respect  to   him,  however,   his  proposal 
was  referred  to  a  committee  ;  they  reported  against  it ;  the 
house  accepted  the  report,  and  the  members  dismissed  from 
their  minds  all  thoughts  of  the  expedition. 

124.  During  the  secret  deliberations  the  people  watched 


MASSACHUSETTS..  53 

with  anxiety  to  ascertain  their  object.  The  disclosure  was 
made  by  an  honest  member,  who,  incautiously,  in  hie;  fa. 
mily  devotions,  prayed  for  the  divine  blessing  on  the  attempt, 
should  it  be  made.  The  people  were  instantly  struck  with 
the  advantage  of  possessing  the  place.  When  the  decision 
was  made  known,  a  petition,  signed  by  a  large  number  of 
merchants,  was  presented  to  the  general  court,  praying  them 
to,  comply  with  tho  governor's  proposal.  The  subject  was 
again  discussed,  and  a  vote  in  favor  of  the  expedition  was 
passed  by  a  majority  of  one. 

125.  The  question  was  now  decided,  and   all  who  were 
before  averse  to  the  enterprise,  united  heartily  with  its  sup. 
porters  to  carry  it  into,  execution.     The  other  New  England 
colonies  were   solicited,  and  agi^eed  to  furnish  assistance  ; 
and  a  boat  was  despatched  to  commodore   Warren,  in  the 
West  Indies,  to  invite  his  co-operation.     Colonel   Pepperell 
was  appointed  Commander-in-chief,  and  Roger  Wolcott,  of 
Connecticut,  second  in  command. 

126.  In  two  months,  an  army  of  more  than  four  thousand 
men  was  enlisted,  clothed,  victualled,  and  equipped  for  ser 
vice,  in  the  four  New  England  colonies,  which  did  not  then 
contain  four  hundred  thousand  inhabitants.     On  the  23d  of 
March,  the  despatch  bout  returned  from  the  West  Indies, 
with  advice  that  commodore  Warren  declined  furnishing  aid. 
This  intelligence  was  kept  secret.     The  troops  of  Massa 
chusetts   embarked,    as    though    nothing    discouraging    had 
happened  ;  and  about  the  middle  of  April,  they,  as  well  as 
those  sent  by  Connecticut  and  New  Hampshire,  arrived  safe 
at  Canso. 

127.  Commodore  Warren  had  but  just  despatched  his  an 
swer,  when  he  received  orders  to  repair  to  Boston  with  such 
ships  as  could  be  spared,  and  concert  measures  with  governor 
Shirley  for  his  majesty's  service   in   North  America.     He 
sailed  instantly  ;  but  learning,  in  his  course,  that  the  trans 
ports  had  left  Boston  for  Canso,  he  steered  directly  for  that 
place,  where   he  arrived  on  the  23d  of  April.     He  added 
much  to  their  naval  strength,  and  much  to  that  confidence, 
which,  by  promising,  ensures  victory. 

128.  Several  vessels  of  war,  which  had  been  sent  to  cruise 
before  Louisburg,  had  captured  a  number  of  French  ships, 
and  prevented  any  intelligence  of, the  expedition  from  reach 
ing  the  enemy.     These  vessels  were  daily  in  sight  of  the 
place,  but  were  supposed  to  be  privateers,  and  caused  no 
alarm.     The  appearance  of  the  fleet,  on  the  30th  of  April, 
gave  the  French  the  first  intimation  of  their  danger. 

5*    . 


54  MASSACHUSETTS. 

129.  The  troops  immediately  landed,  and  the  next  day  a 
detachment  of  four  hundred,  marching  round  the  hills,  ap 
proached  within  a  mile  of  the  grand  battery,  setting  fire  to 
all  the  houses  and  stores  on  the  way.     Many  of  these  con 
tained  pitch   and  tar,  which   produced  a  thick  smoke,  that 
completely  enveloped  the  invaders.    The  fears  of  the  French 
were  increased  by  their  uncertainty.     They  imagined  the 
whole   army  was  corning  upon  them,  and,  throwing  their 
powder  into  a  well,  deserted  the  battery,  of  which  the  New 
England  troops  took  possession  without  loss. 

130.  This  was  uncommon   good   fortune  ;  but  the  most 
difficult  labors  of  the  siege  remained  to  be  performed.     The 
cannon  were   to  be   drawn  nearly  two  miles,  over  a  deep 
morass,  in  plain  view,  and  within  gun-shot,  of  the  enemy's 
principal   fortifications.      For   fourteen  nights,   the  troops, 
with  straps  over  their  shoulders,  and  sinking  to  their  knees 
in  mud,  were  employed  in  this  service. 

131.  The  approaches  were  then  begun  in  the  mode  which 
se-emed  most  proper  to  the   shrewd  understandings  of  un 
taught  militia.     Those  officers,  who  were  skilled  in  the  art 
of  war,  talked  of  zigzags  and  epaule7nents  ;  but  the  troops 
made  themselves  merry  with  the  terms,  and  proceeded  in 
their  own  way.     By  the  20th  of  May,  they  had  erected  five 
batteries,  one  of  which  mounted  five  forty-two  pounders,  and 
did  great  execution. 

132.  Meanwhile  the  fleet,  cruising  in  the  harbor,  had  been 
equally  successful.     It  captured  a  French  ship  of  sixty-four 
guns,  loaded  with  stores  for  the  garrison,  to  whom  the  loss 
was  as  distressing  as  to  the  besiegers  the  capture  was  fortu 
nate.     English  ships  of  war  were,  besides,  continually  ar 
riving,  and  added  such  strength  to  the  fleet,  that  a  combined 
attack  upon  the  town  was  resolved  upon.     The  enemy,  dis 
covering  this  design,  deemed  it  unwise  to  abide  the  hazard 
of  an  assault.    On  the  15th  of  June,  the  French  commandei 
proposed  a  cessation  of  hostilities,  and,  on  the   17th,  capi 
tulated. 

133.  Intelligence  of  this  event,  flying  swiftly  through  the 
colonies,  diffused  great  and  universal  joy.     And  well  might 
the   citizens  of  New  England  be  elated  with  the  glad  tid 
ings.     Without  even  a  suggestion  from  the  mother  country, 
they    had    projected,   and,  with    but    little    assistance,  had 
achieved,  an   enterprise  of  vast  importance  to  her  and   to 
them.     Their  commerce  and  fisheries  were  now  secure,  and 
their  maritime  cities  relieved  from  all  fear  of  attack  from 
that  quarter. 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE.  55 

134.  France,  fired  with  resentment  at  her  loss,  made  ex. 
traordmary  exertions  to  retrieve  it,  and  to  inflict  chastise 
ment  on  New  England.     The  next  summer,  she  despatched 
'to  the  American  coast  a   powerful  fleet,  carrying   a   large 
number  of  soldiers.     The  news  of  its  approach  spread  terror 
throughout  New  England  ;  hut  an  uncommon  succession  of 
disasters,  which  the  pious  of  that  time  attributed  to  the  spe 
cial  interposition  of  Providence,  deprived  it  of  all  power  to 
inflict  injury.     After  remaining  a  short  time  on  the  coast,  it 
returned  to  France,  having  lost  two  admirals,  both  of  whom, 
it  was  supposed,  put  an  end  to  their  lives  through  chagrin  ; 
having  also,  by  tempests,  been  reduced  to  one  half  its  force, 
and  effected  nothing. 

135.  In  1748,  peace  wa.s  concluded,  each  party  restoring 
all  its  prisoners  and  conquests  ;  a  striking,  but  not  uncom 
mon,  illustration  of  the   folly  of  war.     Louisburg,  though 
conquered  by  the  colonies,  was  exchanged,  by  Great  Britain, 
for  territories  which  she  had  lost  in  Europe.    New  England 
murmured  at  this  injustice  ;  but  what  avail  the  murmurs  of 
the  weak  ? 

136.  From  this  period  to  the  commencement  of  the  next 
French  war,  but  few  important  events  occurred  in  Massa 
chusetts.     The  bills  of  credit,  which  the  colony  had  issued 
to  defray  its  enormous  expenditure,  were  redeemed  by  the 
government,  at  their  depreciated  value.     This  example  was 
followed,  though  tardily,  by  the  other  governments.     At  the 
time  of  their  redemption,  they  were  worth  no  more.,  in  some 
colonies,  than  one  tenth,  and  in  others,  one  twentieth,  of  the 
sum  for  which  they  had  been  issued. 


CHAPTER  III. 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

WITH  the  history  of  Massachusetts,  the  parent  of  the 
New  England  colonies,  that  of  Now  Hampshire  has  bee"n 
necessarily  blended.  A  brief  relation  of  some  detached 
events,  which  occurred  in  the  latter  colony,  will  now  be 
given. 

2.  John  Mason,  Ferdinand  Gorges'  and  others,  having 
obtained,  of  the  Plymouth  or  New  England  company, 
grants  of  several  tracts  of  land,  lying  north  of  Massachu 
setts,  sent  from  England,  in  1623,  a  few  persons  to  begin 


56  NEW  HAMPSHIRE.. 

a  settlement.  Part  landed,  and,  for  a  short  time,  remained 
at  Little  Harbor,  on  the  west  side  of  Piscatuqua  river,  and 
near  its  mouth,  Here  the  first  house  was  built,  which 
was  called  Mason  Hall.  The  remainder,  proceeding 
higher  up  the  river,  settled  at  Cochecc^  afterwarcts  called 
Dover. 

3.  Fishing  and  trade  being  the  principal  objects  of  these 
emigrants,   their   settlements   increased   slpwly.     In    1629, 
the  territory   situated    between    Merrimac   and    Piscataqua 
rivers,  and  extending  sixty  miles  from  the  sea,  was  granted 
to  Mason  alone,  and  then  first  called  New  Hampshire.     In 
1631,  the   first   house  was  built,  at   Portsmouth.     In  1638, 
the  reverend  John  Wheelwright,  who,  in  1629^  but  previous 
to  the  date  of  Mason's   patent,  had   purchased  the   land  of 
the    Indians,    laid   the    foundation    of  Exeter.      The    next 
year,  thirty-five   persons,   residing   in  that  town,  combined 
and  established  civil   government.     Within   a  year  or  two 
afterwards,  the  inhabitants  of  Dover  and   Portsmouth  fol 
lowed    their   example,   each    town  remaining    distinct   and 
independent. 

4.  In  1641,  these  little  republics,  distrusting  their  a.bility 
to  protect  themselves,  formed  a  coalition  with  Massachusetts, 
and  long  remained  a  part  of  that  colony.     The  civil  wars  in 
England  diverted  the  attention  of  Mason  from  his  grant,  and 
those  who  migrated  to.  the  country  purchased  of  Wheel- 
wrightvthe   lands  which  th".y  occupied.     In  the  war  with 
Philip,  the  settlements  Oil  Piscataqua  and  Oyster  rivers  were 
attacked  by  the  Indians,  aud  suffered  severely. 

5.  In  1675,   Robert    Mason,   grandson   and  heir  of  John 
Mason,  applied  to  the  king  to  obtain  possession  of  the  terri 
tory  and  rights  which   had   been   granted   to  his  ancestor. 
Notice  of  this  application  was  given  to  Massachusetts,  and 
the  parties  were  heard  before  the  king  in  council.     In  1679, 
a  decree  was  passed,  that  Now  Hampshire  should  be  consti 
tuted  a  separate   province,  to  be  ruled  by  a  president  and 
council,  who  were  to  be  appointed  by  the  king,  and  a  house 
of  representatives  to  be  chosen  by  the  people.     No  decision 
was  made  affecting  the  titles  to  land. 

6.  The    first    assembly,    consisting    of  eleven   members, 
met,  in   1680,   at  Portsmouth.     At  this  session,  a  code  of 
laws  was  adopted,  of  which  the  first,  in  a  style  worthy  of 
freemen,  declared,   "that  no  act,  imposition,  law,  or  ordi 
nance,    should    be    imposed    upon    the    inhabitants    of  the 
province,   but  such    as   should    be  made    by  the  assembly, 
and   approved   by  the    president   and  council."     This  was 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE.  57 

iwelve  years  previous  to  the  enactment  of  a  similar  law  in 
Massachusetts. 

7.  In  the  same  year,  Mason,  who  had  been  appointed  a 
member  of  the  council,  arrived  in  the<colony.     He  assumed 
the  title  of  lord  proprietor,  claimed  the  soil  as  his  property, 
and  threatened  to  prosecute   all  who  would  not  take  from 
him  leases   of  the  lands  they  occupied.      His  pretensions 
were  resisted  by  most  of  the  inhabitants,  who  claimed  the 
fee-simple  of  the  soil  by  a  more  righteous,  if  not  more  legal 
title. 

8.  The  peace  of  the  colony  was  long  disturbed  by  these 
conflicting  claims.     At  the  head  of  those  who  contended  with 
Mason,  stood  Major  Waldron,  of  Dover.     Against  him,  and 
many  others,  suits  were  instituted.     No  defence  was  made  ; 
judgments  were  obtained,  but  so  general  was  the  hostility  to 
Mason,  that  he  never  dared  to  enforce  them. 

9.  Over  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  the  same  go- 
vernor  usually  presided.     After  Andros  was  deposed,   the 
Inhabitants  of  the  latter   colony  desired  to  be  incorporated 
with  their  former  brethren.     Their  request  was  opposed  by 
Samuel  Allen,  who  had  purchased  Mason's  title,  and  was 
refused.     Allen  was  made  governor  of  the   colony,  and,  by 
his   influence,  John  Usher,  his   son-in-law,   was    appointed 
lieutenant-governor.     Under  his  administration,  the  disputes, 
occasioned  by  adverse  claims  to  land,  continued  to  rage  with 
-increased  violence.     Other  suits  were  instituted,  and  judg 
ments  obtained  ;  but  the  sheriff  was  forcibly  resisted,  by  a 
powerful   combination,  whenever  he  attempted  to  put  the 
plaintiff  in  possession. 

10.  From  Indian  wars  this  colony  suffered  more  than  any 
of  her  sisters.     The  surprise  of  Dover,  in  1689,  was  attended 
by  circumstances  of  the  most  shocking  barbarity.     That  the 
natives  had  been  cruelly  injured  by  major  Waldron,  the  prin 
cipal  citizen,  may  account  for,  if  not  extenuate,  their  fero 
city  in  obtaining  revenge. 

11.  Having  determined  upon  their  plan  of  attack,  they  em 
ployed  more  than  their  usual  art,  to  lull  the  suspicions  of  the 
inhabitants.     So  civil  and  respectful  was  their  behavior,  that 
they  often  obtained  permission  to  sleep  in  the  fortified  house* 
in    the   town.     On    the    evening  of   the  fatal  night,  they 
assembled   in   the  neighborhood,   and   sent  their  women  to 
apply  for  lodgings,  at  the    houses   devoted   to  destruction ; 
who  were  not  only  admitted,  but  were    shown    how  they 
could  open  the  doors  should  they  have  occasion  to  go  out  in 
the  night. 


58  NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

12.  When  all  was  quiet,  the  doors  were  opened  and  the 
signal  given.     The   Indians   rushed  into  Waldron's  house, 
and  hastened  to  hi<s  apartment.     Awakened  by  the  noise,  he 
seized  his  sword,  and  drove  them  back  ;  but  when  returning 
for  his  other  arms,  was  stunned  with   a  hatchet,  and  fell. 
They  then  dragged    him    into  his    hall,  seated  him  in  an 
elbow  chair,  upon  a  long  table,  and  insultingly  asked  him, 
"Who    shall   judge    Indians  now?"     After    foasting  upon 
provisions,  which  they  compelled  the  rest  of  the  family  to 
procure,    each  one,  with    his    knife,   cut  gashes  across  his 
breast,  saying,  "  I  cross  out  my  account,."     When,  weakened 
with  the  loss  of  blood,  he  was  about  to  fall  from  the  table, 
his  own  sword  was  held  under  him,  which  put  an  end  to  his 
misery. 

13.  At  other  hc-oscs,  similar  acts  of  cruelty  were  perpe 
trated.     In   the   whole,  twenty-three   persons  were   killed, 
twenty-nine  carried  prisoners  to  Canada,  and  mostly  sold  to 
the  French.     Remembering  kindness  as  well  as  injury,  they 
spared  one  woman,  who,  thirteen  years  before,  had  conferred 
a  favor  on  one  of  the   party.     Many  houses   were  burned, 
much  property  was  plundered,  and  so  expeditious  were  the 
Indians,  that  they  had  fled  beyond  reach  before  the  neigh, 
boring  people  could  be  collected. 

14.  The  war  thus  commenced  was  prosecuted  with  great 
vigor.     The  French,  by  giving  premiums  for  scalps,  and  by 
purchasing  the  English  prisoners,  animated  the  Indians  to 
exert  all  their  activity  and  address,  and  the  frontier  inhabit, 
ants  endured  the  most  aggravated  sufferings.     The  settle, 
ments  on  Oyster  river  were  again  surprised ;  twenty  houses 
were  burned,  and  nearly  one  hundred  persons  were  killed  or 
made  prisoners.     Other  towns  were  attacked,  many  persons 
slain,  and  many  carried  into  captivity.     The  peace  of  Rys- 
wick,  in   1697,   closed  the  distressing  scene.,     In  1703,  an- 
other  war  began,  which  continued  ten  years., 

15.  In  1719,   above   one   hundred  families,   mostly  Pres 
byterians,  emigrated  from  the  north  of  Ireland,  and  settled 
the    town    of    Londonderry.      They    introduced    the    foot 
spinning-wheel,  the  manufacture   of  linen,  and  the  culture 
of   potatoes.     They  were    industrious,    hardy,    and    useful 
citizens. 

16.  From  1722  to  1726,  the  inhabitants  again  suffered  the 
afflictions  of  an  Indian  war.     Following  the  example  of  the 
French,  the  goT^rnment  offered  premiums  for  scalps,  which 
induced  several  volunteer  companies  to  undertake  expedi 
tions  against  the  enemy.     One  of  these,  commanded  by  cap. 


CONNECTICUT.  59 

tain  Lovewell,  was  greatly. distinguished,  at  first  by  its  suc 
cess,  and  afterwards  by  its  misfortunes. 

17.  Long  after" the  transfer  from  Mason  to  Allen,  some  de 
fect  in  the  conveyance  was  discovered,  which  rendered  it 
void.     In  1746,  John  Tufton   Mason,  a  descendant  of  tho 
original  grantee,  claiming  the  lands  possessed  by  his  ances 
tors,  conveyed  them,  for  fifteen  hundred   pounds,  to  twelve 
persons,    subsequently    called    the    Masonian    proprietors. 
They,  to  silence  opposition,   voluntarily  relinquished  their 
claim  to  the  lands  already  occupied  by  others. 

18.  They    also    granted    townships    on    the  most  liberal 
terms.     Reserving  certain  portions  of  the  lands  for  them 
selves,  for  the  first  settled  ministers,  and  for  schools,  they 
required  merely  that  the   grantees  should,  within  a  limited 
time,  erect  mills  and  meeting-houses,  clear  out  roads,  and 
settle  ministers  of  the  gospel.     In  process  of  time,  nearly  all 
the  Masonian  lands,  being  about   one   fourth  of  the  whole, 
were,  in  this  manner,  granted  ;  and  contention  and  lawsuits 
ceased  to  disturb  the  repose,  and  to  impede  the  prosperity  of 
the  colony. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
CONNECTICUT. 

IN  1631,  viscount  Say  and  Seal,  lord  Brook,  and  others, 
obtained  from  the  Plymouth  Company,  in  England,  a  grant 
of  the  territory  which  now  constitutes  the  state  of  Connec 
ticut  ;  arid  so  little  was  then  known  of  the  geography  of  the 
new  world,  that  the  grant  was  made  to  extend,  in  longitude, 
from  the  Atlantic  Ocean  to  the  South  Sea.  In  the  same 
year,  the  Indians,  living  on  Connecticut  river,  having  invited 
the  colony  of  Plymouth  to  make  a  settlement  on  their  lands, 
governor  Winslow,  and  others,  visited  the  country,  and  se- 
lected  a  place  near  the  mouth  of  the  little  river  in  Windsor, 
for  the  erection  of  a  trading  house. 

2.  The  Dutch  of  New  York,  apprized  of  this  project  of 
the  English,  and  determined  to  anticipate  them,  immediately 
despatched  a  party,  who  erected  a  fort  at  Hartford.  In  Sep 
tember,  1633,  a  company  from  Plymouth,  having  prepared 
the  frame  of  a  house,  put  it  on  board  a  vessel,  and,  passing 
the  fort,  conveyed  it  to  the  place  previously  selected.  In 
October,  they  raised,  covered,  and  fortified  it  with  palisades- 


00  CONNECTICUT. 

TKti  Dutch,  considering  them  intruders,  sent,  the  next 
yeki  a  party  of  seventy  men  to  drive  them  from  the  country, 
but  iiiding  them  strongly  posted,  they  relinquished  the 
desig  i. 

3.  In  the   autumn  of  1635,  many  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Dorchester  and  Watertown,  in  Massachusetts,  having  heard 
of  the  fertile  meadows  on  Connecticut  river,  removed  thither, 
and    began     settlements     at    Weathersfield    and    Windsor. 
During  the  next  winter,  their  sufferings  from  f  inline  were 
extreme.     So  destitute  *were  they  of  provisions,  that  many, 
in  dread  of  starvation,  returned,  in  December,  to  Massachu 
setts.      In    their    journey   through   the   dreary  wilderness, 
at   this   inclement   season,  they   encountered  indescribable 
hardships. 

4.  In  the  same  autumn,  Mr.  Winthrop  arrived  from  Eng 
land,  with  instructions  from  the  patentees  to  erect  a  fort  at 
the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  make  the  requisite  preparation 
for  planting  a  colony.     The  fort  was  but  just  completed 
when  a  party,  sent,  for  the  same  purpose,  by  the  Dutch,  at 
New  York,  arrived  in  a  vessel,  but  were  not  permitted  to 
land. 

5.  The  next  spring,  those  who  had  been  compelled  by  fa 
mine  to  revisit  Massachusetts,  returned  to  Connecticut.     In 
June,  the   reverend   Mr.  Hooker,  of  Cambridge,  and  about 
one  hundred  men,  women,  and  children,  belonging  to  his 
congregation,   travelling  through   the  wilderness,   laid  the 
foundation   of  Hartford.     They  were   nearly  two  weeks  on 
their  journey ;  they  drove   their  cattle  with  them,  and  sub 
sisted,  on  the  way,  upon  the  milk  of  their  cows. 

6.  In  1637,  all  the  settlsrnents  in  New  England  were  in 
volved  in  hostilities  with  the  Pequods,  a  tribe  of  Indians  in 
habiting  New  London   arid  the   country  around  it.     Some 
account  of  this  war  has  been  given  in  the  history  of  Massa 
chusetts.     Previous  to  any  expedition  against  them,  they  had 
killed  many  of  the  emigrants  to  Connecticut,  had  captured 
others,  and  tortured  them  to  death.     In  the  short  war  which 
followed,  their  surviving  brethren,  fur  bravery  in  battle  and 
fortitude  in  suffering,  were  not  surpassed  by  any  portion  of 
the  English  troops. 

7.  At   first   the    emigrants    acknowledged  the  authority 
of  Massachusetts.     In  January,  1639,  the  freemen,  having 
convened    at  Hartford,   adopted    a    constitution    for   them, 
selves.     They  ordained  that  two   general  courts,  or  assem 
blies,  should  be   held   annually,  one   in   April,  the  other  in 
September ;  that  at  the  court  held  in  April,  styled  the  court 


CONNECTICUT.  61 

of  election,  the  freemen  should  choose  a  governor,  six  ma 
gistrates,  and  all  the  public  officers  ;.  that  to  the  other,  the 
several  towns  should  send  deputies,  who,  in  conjunction  with 
the  governor  and  magistrates,  were  authorized  to  enact  laws, 
and  perform  all  necessary  public  services.  No  general  court 
could  be  adjourned  or  dissolved,  without  the  consent  of  a 
major  part  of  the  members. 

8.  In  the  same  year,  George  Fenwick,  one  of  the  paten 
tees,  came  over  with  his  family,  and  settled  at  the  mouth  of 
the  river.     In  honor  of  lord  Say  arid  Seal,  and  lord  Brook, 
he  called   the   place    Saybrook.     Others    afterwards  joined 
him  ;  and  for  several  years  they  were  governed  by  their  own 
magistrates  and  laws.     In    1644.  Mr.   Fenwick,  for  seven 
thousand   dollars,   assigned    to    the    general  court  of  Con 
necticut,  the  fort  at  Saybrook,  and  all  the  rights  conferred 
by  the    patent  from    the    Plymouth  company  in  England. 
This  settlement  then  beaame  a  part  of  the  colony.     The 
claim  of  Plymouth  colony,   founded  upon  their  having  first 
made  an    establishment    at  Windsor,  had    been    previously 
purchased. 

9.  In  the  mean  time,  another  colony  had  been   planted 
within  the  limits  of  the  Connecticut  patent.     In  June,  lb'37, 
two  large  ships  arrived  at  Boston,  from  England,  having  on 
board  Mr.  Davenport,  Mr.  Eaton,  and  many  others,  whom 
pious  motives  had  impelled  to  emigrate  to  New  England. 
Being  highly  respectable,  and  some  of  them  possessing  great 
wealth,  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts,  desirous  of  de 
taining  them  in   the   colony,  offered  them:  any  place  they 
might  select  for  a  plantation. 

10.  Wishing,  however,  to  institute  a  civil  and  religious 
community,    conforming    in    all    things    to    their  peculiar 
principles,  they    removed,  the    next    year,    to    Quinnipac, 
which  they  called  New  Haven.     Soon  after  their  arrival, 
at  the  close  of  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  they  subscribed 
what  they  termed  a  plantation  covenant,  solemnly  binding 
themselves,    "  until   otherwise    ordered,    to  be  governed  in 
all  things,  of  a  civil  as  well  as  religious  concern,  by  the 
rules  which  the  scripture  held  forth  to  them."     They  pur 
chased    of  the    natives  large  tracts    of  land,  and  laid  out 
their  town  in  squares,  designing  it  for  a   great  and  elegant 
city. 

11.  In  1639,  all  the   free  planters,  assembled  in   a  large 
bam,  proceeded  to  lay  the  foundation  of  their  civil  and  reli 
gious  polity.     They  resolved  that  none  but  chureh  members 
tfhould  b'^  allowed  tho  nriviloorp  ot"  voting,  or  be  elected  to 

h 


G2  CONNECTICUT. 

office ;  that  all  the  freemen  should  annually  assemble  and 
elect  the  officers  ©f  the  colony ;  and  that  the  word  of  God 
should  be  the  only  rule  for  ordering  the  affairs  of  the  com- 
monwealth.  Such  was  the  original  constitution  of  New 
Haven ;  but  as  the  population  increased,  and  new  towns 
were  settled,  different  regulations  were  adopted,  and  the  in- 
stitutions  and  laws  became  gradually  assimilated  to  those  of 
Connecticut. 

12.  With  the  Dutch  at  New  York,  both  colonies  had  con- 
stant  and  vexatious  disputes;     The   former  claimed  all  the 
territory  as  far  east  as  Connecticut  river ;  the  latter  com 
plained  that  the  Dutch  often  plundered  their  property :   that 
they  sold  guns  and  ammunition  to  the  Indians,  and  even  en- 
couragedthem  to  make  war  upon  the  English.     The  fear  of 
attack  from  that  quarter  was  one  of  the   reasons  which,  in 
1643,  induced  the  colonies  of  New  England  to  form  a  con 
federation  for  their  mutual  defence. 

13.  In  1650,  a  treaty  of  amity  and  partition  was  concluded 
at  Hartford,  between  the  English  and  Dutch,  the  latter  re 
linquishing  their  claim  to  the   territory  of  Connecticut,  ex^ 
cept  the  lands  which  they  actually  occupied.     Soon  after, 
England  and  Holland  were  involved  in  war  with  each  other, 
but  their  colonies  in  America  agreed  to  remain   at  peace. 
Notwithstanding  this  agreement,  the  Dutch   governor  was 
detected  in  concerting  with  the  Indians  a  plot  for  the  total 
extirpation  of  the  English. 

14.  Connecticut  and  New  Haven  were  alarmed ;  a  meet 
ing  of  the  commissioners  of  the  united  colonies  was  called, 
and  evidence  Of  the  plot  laid  before  them.     A  majority  was 
in  favor  of  war;  but  the  colony  of  Massachusetts,  being  re 
mote  from  the  danger,  was  averse  to  it.     As  she  was  much 
stronger  than  either  of  the  others,  it  was,  at  the  suggestion 
of  her  deputies,   resolved  that  agents  should  first  be  sent 
to  demand  of  the   Dutch   governor  an  explanation  of  his 
conduct. 

15.  The    agents    obtained    no    satisfactory   explanation. 
On  their  return,   a-Aother  meeting   of   the   commissioners 
was  held  at  Boston,   additional   testimony  was   laid  before 
them,  ana  several  ministers  of  Massachusetts  were  invited 
to  assist  at  their  deliberations,   a   practice  not  unusual  at 
that  period. 

18.  The  opinion  of  these  ministers  being  requested,, 
ihey  observed,  "that  the  proofs  of  the  execrable  plot, 
lending  to  the  destruction  of  the  dear  saints  of  God,  wero 
of  such  weight  as  to  induce  them  to  believe  the  reality 


CONNECTICUT.  63 

-of  it ;  yet  they  were  not  so  fully  conclusive  as  to  bear  up 
their  hearts  with  the  fulness  of  persuasion  which  was  meet 
in  commending  the  case  to  God  in  prayer,  and  to  the  people 
in  exhortations  ;  and  that  it  would  be  safest  for  the  colonies 
to  forbear  the  use  of  the  sword." 

17.  Bat  all  the  commissioners,  except  one,  were  of  opi 
nion  that  recent  aggressions  justified,  and  self-preservation 
dictated,  an  appeal   to  the  sword.     They  were  about  to  de 
clare  war,  when  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts,  in  di 
rect  violation  of  one  of  the  articles  of  the  confederation,  re 
solved,  "that  no  determination  of  the  commissioners,  though 
all  should  agree,  should  bind   the  colony  to   engage  in  hos 
tilities." 

18.  At  this  declaration,  Connecticut  and  New  Haven  felt 
alarmed  and  indignant.     They  considered  the  other  colonies 
too  weak,  wUhout  the  assistance  of  Massachusetts,  to  con 
tend  with  the  Dutch  and  their  Indian  allies.     They  argued, 
entreated,  and  remonstrated,  but   she   continued  inflexible. 
Tiiev  then  represented  their  danger  to  Cromwell,  and  im 
plored  his  assistance.     He,  with  his  usual  promptitude,  sent 
a  Heel,  for  thoir  protection,  and  for  the  conquest  of  their  ene 
mies  ;  but  peace  in  Europe,  intelligence  of  which   reached 
New  England  soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  fleet,  saved  the 
Dutch  from  subjugation,  and  relieved  the  colonies  from  the 
dread  of  massacre. 

19.  After  Charles  II.  was  restored  to  the  throne,  Connec 
ticut  applied  to  him  for  a  royal  charter.     A  trifling  circum- 
ptarice  induced  him,  forgetting  all  his  arbitrary  maxims,  to 
comply  with  her  wishes  to  their  utmost  extent.     Her  agent, 
Mr.  Winthrop,    having   an   extraordinary  ring,   which  had 
been  given  to  his  grandfather  by  Charles  I.,  presented   it  to 
his  son.     He  immediately  granted  a  charter,  more  liberal  in 
its  provisions  than  any  that  had  yet  been  granted,  and  con 
firming  in  every  particular,  the  constitution  which  the   peo 
ple  had  themselves  adopted. 

20.  This   charter  comprehended  New   Haven ;    but,   for 
several  years  the  people  of  that  colony  utterly  refused  to  con 
sent  to  the  union.     In  this  opposition  to  the   commands  of 
the  king,  and  the   remonstrances  of  Connecticut,  they  per 
severed  until  1665,  when  the   apprehension  of  the  appoint 
ment  of  a  general  governor,  and  of  their  being  united  with 
some  other  colony,  having  a  charter  less  favorable  to  liberty, 
impelled  them,  though  reluctantly,  to  yield. 

21.  In  the  war  with   Philip,  which  began  in   1675,  Con- 
ftecticut  suffered  less  than  her  sister  colonies.     Her   aid, 


64  CONNECTICUT. 

however,  in  flill  proportion  to  her  strength,  was  always 
freely  afforded ;  and  no  troops  surpassed  her  volunteers  in 
bravery  and  enterprise.  A  large  number,  and  many  of 
them  officers,  were  killed  at  the  assault  upon  the  fort  at 
Narra.ganset. 

22.  In  1686,  king  James  II.,  desirous  of  annulling,  not 
only  the  charters  which   had  been  granted  to  his  English 
cities,  but  those  also  which  had  been  granted  to  his  Ameri 
can  colonies,  summoned  the  governor  of  Connecticut  to  ap 
pear  and  show  cause  why  her  charter  should  not  be  declared 
void.     And  sir  Edmund  Andross,  who  had  been  appointed 
governor  of  New  England,  advised  the  colony,  as  the  course 
best  calculated  to  insure  the  good  will  of  his  majesty,  to  re 
sign  it  voluntarily  into  his  hands,  he  having  been  instructed 
to  receive  it.     But  the  people  estimated  too  highly  the  pri 
vileges  it  conferred  to  surrender  it  until  necessity  compelled 
them. 

23.  Sir  Edmund,  therefore,  repaired,  with  a  body  of  troops, 
to  Hartford,  when   the   assembly  were  in   session,   and  de 
manded  of  them  the  charter.     They  hesitated  and  debated 
until  evening.  It  was  then  produced  and  laid  upon  the  table, 
a  large  number  of  people  being  present.     Suddenly,  the  can 
dles  were  extinguished.  With  counterfeited  haste,  they  were 
again  relighted  ;  but  the  charter  could  no  where  be  found. 
In  the  dark,  it  had  been   privately  carried  off  by  a  captain 
Wadsworth,  and  concealed  in  a  holiow  tree.     Sir  Edmund, 
however,  assumed  the  government  of  the  colony,  and  ruled 
with  the  same  absolute  sway,  though  not  with  the  same  op 
pressive  tyranny,  as  in  Massachusetts. 

24.  When  James  was  driven  from  his  throne  and  kingdom, 
and  his  governor  deposed,  Connecticut  resumed  her  former 
government.     The   assembly   voted  a  flattering  address  to 
king  William.     The  suit,  instituted  for  the  purpose  of  annul 
ling  her  charter,  was  abandoned;  and  her  inhabitants, while 
enjoying  greater  privileges  than   any  of  their  brethren,  had 
reason  to  congratulate   themselves  upon  their  address  and 
good  fortune  in  preserving  them. 

25.  But,  not  long  afterwards,  they  were  again  called  upon 
to  defend   these  privileges   from  encroachment.     In  1692, 
colonel  Fletcher  was  appointed  governor  of  New  York,  and 
was  authorized,  by  his  commission,  to  take  command  of  the 
militia  of  Connecticut.     This  power  having  been  given,  by 
the  charter,  to  the  governor  of  the  colony,  he  determined  not 
to  relinquish  it,  and  in  this  determination  was  supported  by 
the  people. 


CONNECTICUT.  65 

86.  The  next  year,  when  the  general  court  were  in  session, 
colonel  Fletcher  repaired  to  Hartford,  and  required  that  the 
militia  of  the  colony  should  be  placed  under  his  command. 
This  was  resolutely  refused.  He  then  ordered  the  trainbands 
of  the  city  to  be  assembled.  This  being  done,  he  appeared 
before  them,  and  directed  his  aid  to  read  to  them  his  commis 
sion  and  instructions  from  the  king. 

27.  Captain  Wadsworth.  the   senior  officer  of  the  militia 
present,  instantly  ordered  the  drums  to  beat,  and  such  was 
the    noise,    that    nothing    else    could    be    heard.     Colonel 
Fletcher  commanded   silence  .  and  again  his  aid  began  to 
read.     "  Drum,  drum,   I   say,"   exclaimed   Wadsworth,  arid 
a  command  so  acceptable  to  the  players,  was  obeyed  with 
spirit.     Once  more  the   colonel   commanded  silence,  and  a 
pause  ensued.     "  Drum,    drum,  I   say,"   cried   the   captain, 
and   turning    to    governor    Fletcher,  addressed    him,  with 
energy  in  his  voice  and  meaning  in  his  looks,    "  If  I  am  in 
terrupted  again,  I  will  niake  the  sun  shine  through  you  in  a 
moment." 

28.  Deeming  it  unwise  to  contend  with  such  a  spirit,  co 
lonel  Fletcher  desisted,  left  Hartford  the  next  night,  and  re 
turned  to  New  York.  A  representation  of  the  opposing  claims 
being  made  to  the  king,  he  decided  that  the  governor  of  Con 
necticut  should  have  the  command  of  the   militia  ;  but  in 
time  of  war,  a  certain   number  should   be  placed   under  the 
orders  of  Fletcher. 

29.  In  1700,  Yale  College  was  founded.     It  owes  its  ex 
istence  to  the  beneficence  and  public  spirit  of  the  clergy.     It 
was  first  established   at   SuybrocK  ;  and,    in   1702,   the   first 
degrees  were  there  conferred.      Elihu  Yale    made  several 
donations  to  the  institution,  and   from   him    it  derives  the 
name  it  bears.     A  succession  of  able  instructors  has  raised 
it  to  the  second  rank  among  the  literary  institutions  of  the 
country. 

30.  In  1708,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  legislature,  requir 
ing  the  ministers  arid  delegates  of  churches  to  meet  and  form 
an  ecclesiastical  constitution  for  the  colony.  A  meeting  was 
in  consequence  held  at   Saybrook,  the  result   of  which  was 
the  celebrated  Saybrook  platform.  At  the  subsequent  session 
of  the   legislature,    it  was  enacted   that   all   the  churches, 
united  according  to  this  platform,  should  be  owned  as  estab 
lished  by  law,  allowing,  however,  to  other  churches,  the  right 
of  exercising  worship  and  discipline   in   their  own  way,  ac 
cording  to  their  consciences. 

31.  In  the  several  abortive  attempts  to  reduce  the  French 

f>  * 


66  RHODE  ISLAND. 

settlements  in  Canada,  and  in  the  expedition  against  Loui*- 
burg,  Connecticut  furnished  her  full  quota  of  troops,  arid 
bore  her  proportion  of  the  expenses.  Of  these,  a  history  is 
elsewhere  given.  After  the  death  of  Philip,  most  of  the  In. 
dians  abandoned  her  territory,  and  seldom  returned  t  j  mo 
lest  the  inhabitants  ;  who,  living  in  the  enjoyment  of  all  the 
privileges  they  desired,  felt  no  inducement,  and  were  afford- 
ed  no  opportunity,  to  perform  such  actions  as  enliven  the 
pages  of  history. 


CHAPTER  V. 
RHODE  ISLAND. 

ROGER  WILLIAMS,  who  was  banished  from  Massachusetts, 
for  avowing  the  doctrine,  that  the  civil  magistrate  is  bound 
to  grant  equal  protection  to  every  denomination  of  Chris 
tians,  a  doctrine  too  liberal  for  the  age  in  which  he  lived,  re 
paired  to  Seeconk,  where  he  procured  a  grant  of  land  from 
the  Indians.  Being  informed,  by  the  governor  of  Plymouth, 
that  the  land  was  within  the  limits  of  that  colony,  ho  pro. 
ceeded  to  Mooshausic,  where,  in  1636,  with  those  friends 
who  followed  him,  he  began  a  plantation. 

2.  He  purchased  the  land  of  the  Indians,  and,  in  grateful 
acknowledgment  of  the  kindness  of  Hoaven,  he   called  the 
place  Providence.     Acting  in  conformity  with  the  wise  and 
liberal  principle,  for  avowing  and  maintaining  which,  he  had 
suffered   banishment,    he    allowed   entire    freedom  of  con 
science  to   all  who  came  within   his  borders.     And  to  him 
must  be  given  the  glory  of  having  first  set  a  practical  exam 
ple  of  the  equal  toleration  of  all  religious  sects  in  the  same 
politic  \\  community. 

3.  His  benevolence  was  not  confined  to  his  civilized  breth 
ren.     He  labored  to   enlighten,  improve,  and  conciliate  the 
savages.     He  learned  their  language,  travelled  among  them, 
and  gained  the  entire  confidence   of  their  chiefs.     He  had 
often  the   happiness,  by  his  influence  over  them,  of  saving 
from  injury  the  colony  that   had  proclaimed  him  an  outlaw, 
and  driven  him  into  the  wilderness. 

4.  In  1638,  William   Coddington,   and   seventeen  others, 
being  persecuted  for  their  religious  tenets  in  Massachusetts, 
followed  Williams  to  Providence.     By  his  advice,  they  pur 
chased  of  the  Indians  the   island  of  Aquctnec,  now  called 


RHODE  ISLAND.  *# 

Rhode  Island,  and  removed  thither.  Coddington  was  chosen 
their  judge,  or  chief  magistrate.  The  fertility  of  the  soik, 
and  the  toleration  of  all  Christian  sects,  attracted  numerous 
emigrants  from  the  adjacent  settlements. 

5.  When  the  New  England  colonies,  in  1643,  formed  their 
memorable  confederacy,  Rhode  Island  applied  to  be  admitted 
a  member.  Plymouth  objected ;  asserting  that  the  settle*- 
ments  were  within  her  boundaries.  The  commissioners  de 
cided  that  Rhode  Island  might  enjoy  all  the  advantages  of 
the  confederacy,  if  she  would  submit  to  the  jurisdiction  of 
Plymouth.  She  declined,  proudly  preferring  independence  to 
all  the  benefits  of  dependent  union. 

G.  In  1644,  Williams,  having  been  sent  to  England  as 
agent  for  both  settlements,  obtained  of  the  Plymouth  Com 
pany  a  patent  for  the  territory,  and  permission  for  the  inhab 
itants  to  institute  a  government  for  themselves.  In  1647, 
delegates  chosen  by  the  freemen,  held  a  general  assembly  at 
Portsmouth,  organized  a  government,  and  established  a  code 
of  laws.  The  executive  power  was  confided  to  a  president 
and  four  assistants. 

7.  Upon  the  application  of  the  inhabitants,  the   king,  !in 
1663,   granted   a  charter  to   Rhode   Island  and  Providence 
Plantations.     The  supremo,  or  legislative  power,  was   to  l>3 
exercised  by  an  assembly,  which  was  to  consist  of  thy  go 
vernor,  of  ten  assistants,  and  of  representatives  from  the  se 
veral  towns,  all  to  bs  chosen  by  the  freemen.  This  assembly 
granted  to  all  Christian  sects  except  Reman  Catholics,  the 
right  of  voting.  In  1665,  they  authorized,  by  law,  the  seizure 
ef  the  estates  of  Quakers,  who  refused  to  assist  in  defending 
the  colony ;  but  this  law7,  being  generally  condemned  by  the 
people,  was  never  executed. 

8.  When  Andross  was  made  governor  over  New  England, 
he  dissolved  the  charter  government  of  Rhode  Island,  and 
ruled  the  colony,  with  the  assistance  of  a  council  appointed  by 
himself.  After  he  was  imprisoned,  at  Boston,  the  freemen  met 
at  Newport,  and  voted  to  resume  their  charter.  All  the  officers 
who,  three  years  hefore,  had  been  displaced,  were  restored. 

9.  The  benevolence,  justice,  and  pacific   policy   of  \Vik 
Hams,  secured  to  the  colony  an  almost  total  exemption  from 
Indian  hostility.     In  1730,  the   number   of  inhabitants  was 
18,000;    in   1761,   it  was  40,000.     Brown  University  was 
founded,  at  Warren,  in  1764,  and  was  removed,  a  few  years 
after,  to  Providence.     Its  founder  Avas  Nicholas  Brown,  wha 
gave  to  the  institution  five  thousand  dollars.  /" 


CHAPTER  VI. 
NEW  YORK. 


IN  1G09,  Henry  Hudson,  an  Englishman,  but  sailing-  in? 
the  service  of  the  Dutch  East  India  Company,  discovered 
Jupng  Island,  the  harbor  of  New  York,  and  the  river  to, 
which  his  name  has  been  given.  In  1613^  several  Dutch 
merchants,  to  whom  the  republic  of  Holland  had  granted  the 
exclusive  right  of  trading  to  this  part  of  America,  erected  a 
fojft.  near  Albany,  which  they  named  fort  Orange,  aiid  a  few 
trading  houses  on  the  island  of  New  York,  then  called,  by 
\l*v  Indians,  Manhattan. 

2.  In  the  same  year,  captain   Argal,  who  had  been  sent 
by  Virginia  to  drive  the  French  from  their  settlements  on  the 
bay  of  Fundy,  visited,  on  his  return,  the  Dutch  on.  Hudson's 
liver.     Claiming  the  country  for  his  nation,  by  right  of  prior 
discovery,  he  demanded  the   acknowledgment  of  its  autho 
rity.     ESeing  few  in  number,  they  prudently  submitted,  with 
out  attempting  to  insist.. 

3.  But  receiving  a  reinforcement  the  next  year,  they  again 
Asserted  the  right  of  Holland  to  the  country,  and  erected  fort 
Amsterdam  on  the  south  end  of  the  island.     The   English, 
for  many  years,  forbore  to  interfere  in  their  pursuits  or  claims. 
In  1621,  the  republic,  desirous  -of  founding  a  colony  in  Ame 
rica,  granted  to  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  an  exten 
sive  territory  on   belli   sides  of  the  Hudson.     The  country 
was  called  New  Netherlands.     The  boundaries  were  not  ac-. 
eurately  defined,  but   were   considered,  by  the  company,  as 
including  Connecticut  slyer  at  the  north,  and  Delaware  river 
<&t  the  south, 

4.  In  1623,  they  erected  a  fort  on   the   Delaware,  which 
they  called  Nassau;  and,  ten  years   afterwards,  another  on 
the  Connecticut,  which  they  culled  Good  Hope.     Near  the 
former  the  Swedes  had  a  settlement.     From  the  interfering 
Claims  of  the  two  nations,  quarrels  arose   between   the  set 
tlers,  which,  aftej  continuing  several  years,  terminated  in  the 
subjugation  c»f  the   Swedes.     Towards  the  fort  on  the  Con 
necticut,  the  settlements  of  the  English  rapidly  approached, 
and  s<aon  occasioned  disputes,  which  had  a  longer  duration 
and  a  different  result. 

5.  The  Dutch  did  not  escape  the  calamity  of  war  with 
the    savages.      Hostilities   commenced   in   1643,   continued; 
several,   years,   arid  were  very  destructive    to,  both 


ItfEW  YORK.  G9 

Will'iam  Kioft,  the  governor  of  the  New  Netherlands,  in 
vited  captain  Underbill,  who  had  been  a  soldier  in  Europe, 
and  had  made  himself  conspicuous  in  New  Hampshire,  by 
his  eccentricities  in  religion  and  conduct,  to  take  command 
of  his  troops.  Collecting  a  rTying  party  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men,  he  was  enabled  to  preserve  the  Dutch  settlements 
•from  total  destruction.  The  n limber  of  Indians,  whom  he 
killed  in  the  course  of  the  war,  was  supposed  to  exceed  four 
hundred.  In  1646,  a  severe  battle  was  fought  on  that  part 
of  Horse-neck  called  Strickland's  Plain.  The  Dutch  were 
victorious  ;  on  both  fides  great  numbers  were  slain;;  and  for 
a  century  afterwards  the  graves  of  the  dead  were  distinctly 
visible. 

•6.  In  1650,  Peter  Stuyvosant,  then  the  able  governor  of 
the  New  Netherlands,  met  the  commissioners  of  the  New 
England  colonies  at  Hartford,  where,  after  much  alterca 
tion,  a  lino  of  partition  between  their  respective  territories 
was  fixed  by  mutual  agreement.  Long  Island  was  divided 
between  them  ;  the  Dutch  retained  the  lands  which  they 
occupied  in  Connecticut,  surrendering  their  claim  to  the 
residue. 

7.  But  Charles  II.,  denying  their  right  to  any  portion  of 
the  country,  determined  to  expel  them  from  it.     In  1664,  he 
granted  to  his  brother,  the  duke  of  York  and  Albany,  all  the 
territory  between  Nova  Scotia  and  Delaware  bay ;  and  though 
England  and  Holland  were  then  at  peace,  immediately  sent 
three  ships  and  three  hundred  troops  to  put  him  in  posses*, 
sion  of  his  grant.     Colonel  Robert  Nichols  conducted  the 
expedition.     The  squadron,  having  visited  Boston,  reached 
the  place  of  its  destination  in  AugtasL 

8.  The   commander  summoned    governor  Stuyvesatit  to 
surrender  the  town,  promising  to  secure  to  the  inhabitants 
their  lives,  liberty,  and  properly.     At  first,  he  refused  ;  but 
the  magistrates  and  people,  allured  by  the  prolFered  terms, 
constrained  him  to  consent.    Fort  Orange  surrendered,  soon 
after,  to  sir  George  Carteret.     In  compliment  to  the  duko, 
the   name    Manhattan    was    changed   to   New   York,    and 
Orange  to  Albany. 

9.  Nichols .  assumed  the  government  of  the   country  he 
had  conquered,  and  continued,  for  three  years,  to  rule  over 
it  with  absolute  power,  but  with   great  lenity  and  justice. 
During  his   administration,   New  York   was   made    a   city. 
Upon  his  return  to  England,  he  was  succeeded  by  colonol 
Lovelace,   who    administered    the    government  with 
moderation. 


TO  NEW  YORK. 

10.  In  1G73,  England  and  Holland  being  then  at  war,  a 
few  Dutch  ships  were  despatched  to,  reconquer  the  country 
On  their  arrival  at  Staten  Island,  a  short  distance  from  the 
city,  John  Manning,  who  had  command  $f  the   ftwt,  sent 
down  a  messenger,  and  treacherously  madje  terms  with  the 
enemy.     The  Dutch  sailed  up  the  harbor,  landed  their  men, 
and  took  possession  of  the  fort  arid  city,  without  firing  or 
receiving  a  shot. 

11.  Captain  Anthony  Colve  was  appointed  governor,  but 
he  retained  the  authority  for  a  few  months  only.     The  next 
year,  peace  was  concluded,  and  the  country  restored  to  the 
"English,     The  duke  obtained  a  new  patent,  confirming  his 
title  to  the  province,  and  appointed  major  Andross,  the  same 
who  was  afterwards  the  tyrant  of  New  England,  to  be  go, 
ve-rnor  over- hijs  territories  in  America.' 

!2.  Neither  the •  administration  of  Address,  nor  that  of  his 
successor,  Anthony  Bxockholst,  wras  distinguished  by  any 
remarkable  event.  In  1682,  colonel  Thomas  Donga;i,  who, 
as  well  as  the  Puke,  was  a  Roman  Catholic,  was  appointed 
governor,  and  the  next  year  arrived  in  the  colony.  Until 
this  time,  the  governor  and  council  had  possessed  absolute 
power.  The  inhabitants,  who,  whether  Dutch  or  English, 
were  born  the  subjects  of  a  state  comparatively  free,  having, 
in  an  address  to  the  duke,  claimed  a  share  in  the  legislative 
authority,  colonel  Dongan  was  directed  to  allow  the  free- 
hohlfrs  to  meet  and  choose  rcpr-r-s.eotatives. 

13.  On  the  17th  of  October,  the  first  assembly  met,  con-. 
si-sting  of  the  council  and  eighteen  representatives.  By  the 
declaration  of  the  governor-,  they  were  invested  with  the 
golo  power  of  enacting  laws  and  levying  taxes  ;  but  the  laws, 
could  have  no,  force  until  ratified  by  the  duke.  With  this 
participation  of  power,  the  people  were  gratified  a.nd  con- 
tented  ;  and  the  colony  began  to.  enjoy  the  inestimable  ad. 
vantages  of  a  regular  government. 

14. "The  interior  of  New7  York  was  originally  inhabited 
by  a  confederacy  which  consisted  at  first  of  five,  and  after, 
wards  of  six  nations  of  Indians.  This  confederacy  was 
formed  for  mutual  defence  against  the  Algonquins,  a  power 
ful  Canadian  nation,  and  displayed  much  of  the  wisdom  and 
sagacity  which  mark  the  institutions  of  a  civilized  people. 
By  their  ia$ion,  they  had  become  formidable  to  the  surround 
ing  tribes.  Being  the  allies  of  the  English,  the  French 
wore  nlja^med  at  their  successes,  and  became  jealous  of  their 
ficiwer. 

la,.    In    1G84,    Pe   la   Barre^  the.  governor   of  Canada* 


NEW  YORK.  71 

marched  to  attack  them,  with  an  army  of  seventeen  hundred" 
men.  His  troops  suffered  so  much  from  hardships,  famine 
and  sickness,  that  he  was  compelled  to  ask  peace  of  those 
whom  he  had  come  to  exterminate.  He  invited  the  chiefs 
of  the  Five  Nations  to  meet  him  at  his  camp,  and  those 
of  three  of  them  accepted  the  invitation;  Standing  in  a 
circle,  formed  by  the  chiefs  and  his  own  officers,  he  ad 
dressed  a  speech  to  Garrangula,  of  the  Onondago  tribe,  iii 
which  he  accused  the  confederatevS  of  conducting-  the  Eng*. 
Hsh  to  the  trading  grounds  of  the  French,  arid  threatened 
them  with  war  and  extermination  if  they  did  net  alter  their 
behavior. 

16.  Garrangula,  knowing  the  distresses  Of  the   French 
troops,  heard  these  threats  with  contempt.     After  walking 
five  or  six  times  round  the  circle,  he  addressed  the  following 
bold  and  sarcastic   language  to  De   la   Barre,  calling  him 
Yonnondio,  and  the  English  governor,  Corlear. 

17.  "  Yonnondio,  I  honor  you,  and  the  warriors  thai  afc 
with  me  likewise  honor  yen*     Your  interpreter  has  finished 
your  speech  ;  I  now  begin  mine.     My  words  make  haste  to 
roach  your  ears ;  hearken  to  them.     Yonnondio,  y<j\l  mitst 
have  believed,  when  you  left  Quebec,  that  the  sun  had  con 
sumed  all  the  forests  which  render  Our  country  inaccessible 
to  the   French,  or  that  the  great  lakes  had  overBoAVn  their 
banks  and  surrounded  out  castles,  sO  that  it  wafc  impossible 
for  us  to  get  out  of  them.     Yes,  Yonnondio,  .you  must  have 
dreamed  so,   and  the  curiosity  of  so  gfeat   a  wonder  has 
brought  you  so  far.     Now  you  are-  undeceived,  for  I,  and 
the  warriors  here  present,  are  come-  to  assure  you,  that  the 
Senecas,   Oayugas,   OnOndagog,   One^dbes,  and   Mo>hawks> 
are  yet  alive. 

18.  "  I  thahk  you,  irt  their  riante-,  for  bringing  back  inta 
their  country  the  pipe    Of  peace,   which  your  predecessor 
received    from   theit-   hands.     It  was   happy    for   you   that 
you  left  under  ground  that  murdering  hatchet  which  lias 
?>een   so   often  dyed   in  the  blood  of  the    French.     Hear, 
Y^onnondio,  I  db  not  sleep  J  I  have  my  eyes  open,  and  the 
nun  which  enlightens  me,  discovers  to  me  a  great  captain, 
ut  the  he^ad  of  a  company  of  soldiers,  who  speaks  as  if  lie 
was  dreaming.     He  says  that  he  only  came  to  smoke  the 
jTeat  pipe  of  peace  with  the  Onondagos.     But  Garrangula 
says,  that  he  sees  the  contrary  ;  that  it  was  to  knock  them 
en  the  head,  if  sickness  had  not  weakened  the  arms  of  the 
J'ronch.. 

11).  "  We  can-feel  the  English  to  our  lakes,  to  trade  there 


72  NEW  YORK. 

with  the  Utawawas  and  Quatoghies,  as  the  Adirondaos 
brought  the  French  to  our  castles  to  carry  on  a  trade  which 
the  English  say  is  theirs.  We  are  born  free  ;  we  neither 
depend  on  Yonnondio  nor  Corlear.  We  may  go  where  we 
please,  and  buy  and  sell  what  we  please.  If  your  allies  are 
your  slaves,  lise  them  as  such  ;  command  them  to  receive  no 
other  but  your  people. 

2!J}«..  "  Hear,  Yonnondio ;  what  I  say  is  the  voice  of  all 
the  Five  Nations.  When  they  buried  the  hatchet  at 
Cadaracuj,  in  the  middle  of  the  fort,  they  planted  the  treo 
of  peace  in:tlie  same  place,  to  be  there  carefully  preserved, 
that,  instead  of  a  retreat  for  soldiers,  the  fort  might  be  a 
rendezvous  for  merchants.  Take  care  that  the  many 
soldiers  who  appear  there,  do  not  choke  the  tree  of  peace, 
and  prevent  it  from  covering  your  country  and  ours  with 
its  branches.  I  assure  you  that  our  warriors  shall  dance 
under  its  leaves,  and  will  never  dig  up  the  hatchet  to  cut  it 
down,  till  their  .brother  Yoruiondio  or  Corlear  shall  invade 
the  country  which  the  Great  Spirit  has  given  to  our  an 
cestors." 

21.  Do  la  Barre  was  mortified  and  enraged  at  this  bold 
reply  ;  but,  submitting  to  necessity,  he-  concluded  a  treaty 
of   peace,   and  returned    to    Montreal.     Xlis  successor,  Da 
Nonvillo,  led  a  larger  army  against  the  Confederates  ;  but 
fell    into    an    ambuscade    and   was   defeated.     These   wars 
within  the  limits  of  the  colony,  kept  colonel  Dongan   ac 
tively  employed,  and  served  to  perpetuate  the  enmity  of  the 
Indiana  against  the  French,  and  their  attachment,  to  the 
English.. 

22.  In  the  mean  time,  the  duke  of  York  ascended  the 
throne  of  England.     Claiming  unlimited  authority  as  king, 
and  professing  the  Catholic  religion,  he  was  hated  and  feared 
by  a  great  portion  of  the  inhabitants,  who  were  devoted'  to 
the  cause  of  freedom,,  asd  to  the  principles  of  the   Protes 
tants.     The  governor  was  also  an  object  of  their  dislike  and 
distrast.     Catholics,  countenanced  by  him,  repaired  in  great 
numbers  to  the  colony,  and  pious   Protestants  trembled  for 
their  religion. 

B>3.,  In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1689,  information  was 
received  from  England  that  the  people  had  resolved  to  de 
throne  their  sovereign,  a.nd  offer  the  crown  to  William, 
prince  of  Orange  ;  arid  fronj,  Massachusetts,  that  the  citizens 
had  deposed  and  imprisoned;  sir  Edmund  Andross,  their  go 
vernor.  This  encouraged  tho  disaffected,  and  presented  an 
example  for  their  imitation. 


NEW  YORK.  73 

24.  Several  militin.  captains  assembled  to  determine  on  the 
measures  expedient  to  be  adopted.     Of  these,  Jacob  Leisler 
was  the  most  active.     He  was  destitute  of  every  qualifica 
tion  necessary  to  conduct  a    difficult  enterprise,    but   pos 
sessed  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the  other  officers,  and 
of  the  people.     Milborne,  his  son-in-law,  concerted  all  his 
measures,  and  controlled  his  conduct. 

25.  They  determined   to  obtain   possession   of  the   fort. 
Leisler  entered  it  with  fifty  men,  and  published  a  declaration 
in  favor  of  the  prince  of  Orange.    The  magistrates  and  most 
respectable  citizens  discountenanced  the  proceeding,  and,  at 
first,  but  few  had  the   courage  to  declare  themselves   his 
friends.     To   induce   them  to  act,  a  report  was   circulated 
that  three  ships,  with  orders  from  the  prince,  were  sailing 
up  the  harbor.     His  party  was  instantly  augmented  by  six 
captains,  and  nearly  five  hundred  men,  a  force  sufficient  to 
overpower  all  opposition. 

26.  Before  these  disturbances,   colonel   Dongan   had  re 
signed  his  office,  and  embarked  for  England.     Lieutenant- 
governor   Nicholson,  unable   to   contend  with   Leisler,   ab 
sconded  in  the  night.     The  province  being  thus  left  without 
a  chief  magistrate,  Leisler  was  promoted,  by  his  adherents, 
to  that  station.     He  sent  an  address  to   king  William  and 
Queen  Mary,  whoso  authority  be  acknowledged,  and,  soon 
after,  a  private  letter  to  the  king,  expressing,  in  low  and 
incorrect  language,  the  warmest  protestations  of  loyalty  and 
zeal. 

27.  His  sudden  elevation  excited  th^  envy  of  those  magis 
trates  and  citizens  who  had  declined  to  join  him  in  proclaim 
ing  king  William.     Bayard  and  Courtl.mdt,  unable  to  raise 
a  party  against  him  in  the  city,  retired  to  Albany,  where 
their  exertions  were  .successful.    To  diminish  their  influence, 
and   to   allay   the   jealousy    of  others,    he    invited   several 
worthy  citizens  to  unite  with  him  in  administering  the  go 
vernment,  a  trust  which  had  been  confided  to  him  alone,  by 
the  militia. 

28.  In  a  few  months,  howr-ver,  a  letter  arrived  from  the 
ministry  in  England,  directed   "  to  such  as.  for  the  time  be 
ing,  take  care  for  administering  the  laws  of  the  province,*1 
and  conferring  authority  to  perform  all  the  duties  of  lieu 
tenant-governor.     Lpislor  considered  this  letter  addressed  to 
himself,    assumed   the    authority    conferred,   appointed    his 
council,  and  issued  commissions  in  his  own  name. 

29.  The  people  of  Albany,   led  by  Bayard,  Courtlandt, 


74  NEW  YORK. 

and  Livingston,  acknowledged  king  William,  but  refused  to 
submit  to  Leisler.  Milborne  was  sent  with  a  body  of  troops 
to  enforce  obedience,  but,  finding  Ihem  united,  he  returned 
without  attempting  it.  The  next  spring,  going  with  a 
stronger  force,  he  succeeded.  The  leaders  of  the  party  fled, 
and  their  property  was  confiscated.  This  arbitrary  and  un 
just  measure  so  exasperated  the  sufferers,  that  they  and  their 
posterity  long  retained  the  most  violent  animosity  against 
Leisler  and  his  adherents. 

30.  During  these  troubles  in  the  colony,  war  was  declared 
between  France  and  England.     Do  Nonville  being  recalled, 
count   Frontenac  was  appointed   governor  of  Canada.     In 
January,    1690,   he   despatched   several   parties   against  the 
English  settlements.     One  of  these,  consisting  of  French 
men  and  Caghnuaga  Indians,  was  sent  against  Albany,  but 
resolved   to   attack    Schenectady.     To  the    inhabitants    of 
this  village,   information  was   given   of  their  danger  ;  but 
they,  judging  it  impossible  for  the  enemy  to  march  several 
hundred  miles  in  the  depth  of  winter,  disregarded  the  in 
telligence.     No  regular  watch  was  kept,  nor  military  order 
observed. 

31.  The  French  and  Indians  arrived  near  the  town  on 
the  eighth  of  February.     They  divided   their  number  into 
small   parties,   that  every  house  might  be  invested  at  the 
same   time.     On    Saturday  night,   at  eleven    o'clock,   they 
entered  at  the  gates,  which  they  found  unshut.     The  in 
habitants  having  retired  to  rest,  universal  stillness  reigned. 
Suddenly,   in    every   quarter,    the    horrid   yell   was    heard. 
They   sprang   from    their   beds,    conscious    of  the   danger 
which   surrounded  them.     Opening  their  doors,   they  met 
the.  savages,   with   uplifted    tomahawks,    on   the   threshold. 
Each,  at  the   same   instant,  heard  the  cry  of  his  affrighted 
neighbor.     Soon  succeeded  t*he  groans  of  the  dying.     In  a 
fow   minutes,   the    buildings  were    on   fire.     Women   were 
butchered,  and  children  thrown  alive  into  the  flames.     The 
Indians,    frantic    from    slaughter,    ran,    with    f;tal    haste, 
through   the  village,   massacring  many,  who,   in   their  at 
tempts  to  escape,  were  betrayed  by  the  light  of  their  own 
houses. 

32.  Some  eluded  their  pursuers;    but  a  fate  almost  as 
dreadful     awaited   them.      They    were    naked  ;    a   furious 
storm   came   on  ;  Albany,  their  only  refuge,  was  at  a  dis 
tance  ;   and   often   their  terror   converted  into  savages  the 
trees  and  wild  beasts  which  they  saw  in  their  flight.     Part 


NEW  YORK,  75 

arrived  in  safety ;  twenty-five  lost  their  limbs  by  the  severity 
of  the  cold.  At  Schenectady,  sixty  were  killed,  and  twenty- 
five  made  prisoners. 

33.  To  avenge  these  barbarities,  and  others  perpetrated  in 
New    England,     a  combined    expedition    against    Canada 
was  projected.     An  army,  raised  in  New  York  and  Con 
necticut,  proceeded  as  far  as  the  head  of  Lake  Champlain, 
whence,  finding  no  boats  prepared,  they   were  obliged   to 
return.     Sir  William    Phipps,    with    a   fleet  of  more  thai'i 
thirty  vessels,  sailed  from  Boston  into  the  St.   Lawrence, 
and,  landing  a  body  of  troops,  made  an  attack  by  land  and 
water  upon   Quebec ;  but   the  return  of  the  army  to  New 
York,  allowing  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy  to  repair  to 
the  assistance  of  the  garrison,  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  the 
enterprise.     To  the   misconduct   or   incapacity    of  Leisler 
and    Mil  borne,    the    failure    of  this    expedition    was  attri 
buted. 

34.  As  soon  as  king  William  could  find  leisure  to  attend 
to    his    colonies,    he    appointed   colonel    Henry    Sloughter 
governor  of  New  York.     Never  was  a  governor  more  neccs- 
-sary  to  the  province,   and  never,  perhaps,  has  it  ^cen  ruled 
by  one  less  qualified  for  the  station.     He  was  destitute  of 
talents,  licentious,  avaricious,  and  a  bankrupt 

35.  Leisler,  when  informed   of  this  appointment,   ought 
to  have   relinquished  the  authority  he   had  exercised;  but 
he  was  weak,  intoxicated  with  power,  and  determined  to 
retain  it.     Although  twice  required,  he  refused  to  surren 
der  the  fort ;  but  sent  two  persons  to  confer  with  the  gov 
ernor,  who,  declaring   them  rebels,   arrested  and  confined 
thorn.     Alarmed  by  this  measure,  Loisler  attempted  to   es. 
cape,  but  was  apprehended,  with  many  of  his  adherents,  and 
brought  to  trial, 

36.  In  vain   did  they  plead  their  zeal  for  king  William 
In  vain    did   Leisler  insist   that  the    letter   from    England 
authorized  him  to  administer  the  government.     They  uad 
lately  resisted  a  governor  with  a  regular  commission,  and 
this  governor,  and  a  .subservient  court,  were  resolved  upon 
their  conviction.     Leisler  and  Milborne  were  condemned  to 
death  for  high  treason. 

37.  Soon   after    their  trial,    the    affairs   of  the    province 
required   Slaughter's   presence    at    Albany.      The    faction 
opposed  to  them,    entreated  him,  before   his   departure,   to 
sign   the   warrant  for  their   execution ;  but    he,   unwilling 
to   sacrifice   two    men,  who,   though    they  had   sometimes 
crredj  had  served  his  master  with  zeal,  refused.      Unable 


76  NEW  YORK. 

to  effect  their  purpose  by  persuasion,  they  resorted  to  a 
detestable  expedient.  A  sumptuous  feast  was  prepared,  to 
which  the  governor  was  invited.  When  he  had  drunk  to 
intoxication,  they  presented  him  the  warrant,  which  he 
signed,  and  when  he  had  recovered  his  senses,  the  prisoners 
were  no  more. 

38.  On  application  to  the  king,  their  estates,  which  had 
been  confiscated,  were  restored  to  their  heirs.     Their  bodies 
were  afterwards  taken  up  and  interred,  with  great  pomp,  in 
the  old  Dutch  church ;  and  their  descendants  are  considered 
honored,  rather  than  disgraced,  by  the  conduct  and  fall  of 
their  ancestors. 

39.  In  July,   1691,  Sloughter,  having  returned  from  Al 
bany,  ended,  by  a  sudden  death,  a  short,  weak,  and  turbu 
lent  administration.     About   the   same   time,    major   Peter 
Schuyler,  at  the  head  of  three  hundred  Mohawks,  made  a 
sudden  and  bold  attack  upon  the  French  settlements,  at  the 
north  end  of  lake  Champlain.     An  army  of  eight  hundred 
men  was  despatched  from  Montreal  to  oppose  him.     With 
these  he  had  several  irregular,  but  successful  conflicts ;  in 
which  he  killod  a  number  of  the  enemy,  greater  than  that  of 
his  whole  party. 

40.  In   1692,    colonel   Fletcher   arrived  as   successor   to 
Sloughter.     He  was  a  good  soldier,  was  active,  avaricious, 
and  passionate.     From  the  talents  aad  information  of  major 
Schuyler,   he  derived   great  assistance,   and  was  governed 
by  his  advice,  particularly   in  transactions  relative  to  the 
Indians. 

41.  As  a  great  portion  of  the  inhabitants  were   Dutch, 
all  the   governors,   to  produce   uniformity  211    religion    and 
language,  had  encouraged   English  preachers   and1  school 
masters  to  settle  in  the  colony.     No  one  pursued  this  object 
with   more  zenl  than    Fletcher,    who  was  devote*!  to   the 
church  of  England.     At  two  successive  sessions,  he  recon-i 
mended  the  subject  to  the  attention  of  the  assembly  ;  but  the 
members,  being  generally  attached  to  the  church  of  Holland,, 
disregarded  his  recommendations.    Fortliw  neglect,  he  gave 
them  a  severe  reprimand. 

42.  The  subject  being  laid  bofore  tliera,  at  a  subsequent 
session,  they  passed  a  bill  providing  for  the  settlement,  m 
certain  parishes,  of  ministers  of  the   m>spel,  to  be   chosen 
ty  the  people.     The  council  added  an  amendment,  giving 
to  the  governor  the   power  of  approval  or  rejection.     The 
house    refused    to    concur   in    the    amendment,   at    whic-fo 
Fletcher  was  so  much  eniaged,  that  be  coiimiiiiuled  thena 


NEW  YORK,  77 

instantly  to  attend  him,  and,  addressing  them  in  an  angry 
speech,  prorogued  them  to  the  next  year. 

43.  In  1637,  a  peace  which  gave  security  and   repose  to 
the    colonies,   was    concluded   between    Great    Britain   and 
France.     The  next  year,  the  earl  of  Ballamorat  was  appoint 
ed  governor.     He  was  particularly  instructed  to  clear  the 
American  seas  of  the  pirates  who  infested  them,  and  who, 
it  was  suspected,  had  even  received  encouragement  from 
Fletcher. 

44.  The  government  declining  to  furnish  the  necessary 
naval  force,  the  earl  engaged,  with  others,  in  a  private  un 
dertaking  against  them.     The  associates,  procuring  a  vessel 
of  war,  gave  the  command  of  it  to  a  captain  Kid,  and  sent 
him    to    cruise    against    the    pirates,     lie  had  been  but  a 
short  time   at  sea,  when,  disregarding  his  instructions,  he 
made  a  new  contract  with  his  crew,    and,  on   the  Atlantic 
a.rid  Indian  oceans,  became  himself  a  daring,  atrocious,  and 
^successful  pirate, 

45.  Three  years  afterwards,  he  returned,  burned  his  ship, 
and,  with  a  strange  infatuation,  appeared  publicly  at  Boston. 
fie  was  apprehended   and  sent  to   England,  where   he  was 
tried    and   executed.     The  earl   and   his  partners,  some   of 
whom  resided  in   England,  were  accused  of  sharing  in  his 
plunder,  but  in  all   his  examinations  he  declared  them  in- 
nOC^nt. 

46.  Notwithstanding  the  death  c»f  Leislei,  the  people  were 
still  divided  into  Leislerians  and  anti-Leislerians.     Fletcher 
fiad  been  the  instrument  of  the   lattor ;  lord  Bellamont  es 
poused  the  cause  of  the  former.     He,  however,  persecuted 
110  one  ;  but  exorcised  authority  with  justice  arid  moderation. 
He  died  in  1701. 

47.  The  next  year,  lord  Cornbury  was  appointed  governor 
He  presented  a  striking  proof  of  the  folly  of  hereditary  dis 
tinctions.     He  was  the  son  of  the  celebrated  eurl  of  Claren 
don ;  but  possessed  not  one   of  the  virtues  of  his  ancestor. 
Mean,  profligate,  and  unprincipled,  he  was  a  burden  to  his 
friends  at  home,  and  was  sent  to  America  to  be  bwyond  the 
reach  of  his  creditors. 

48  He  declared  himself  an  anti-Leislerian,  and  the  first 
assembly  that  he  summoned  was  composed  principally  of 
men  of  that  party.  They  presented  him  two  thousand  pounds 
to  defray  the  expenses  of  his  voyage.  They  raised  several 
sums  of  money  for  public  purposes,  but  the  expenditure  being 
intrusted  to  him  as  governor,  he  appropriated  most  of  it  to 
liis  own  use. 

7* 


78  NEW  YORK. 

49.  His  acts  of  injustice  and  oppression  ;  his  prodigality  j 
his  indecent  and  vulgar  manners,  rendered  him   universally 
odious.     Iri  1708,  the  assemblies  of  New  York  and  of  New 
Jersey,  of  which  colony  he  was  also  govern  €>r,  complained 
to  the  queen  of  his  misconduct.     She  removed  him  from  of- 
^ce ;  he  was  soon  after  arrosted  by  his   creditors,  and  re- 
mained  in  custody  until  the  death  of  his  illustrious  father, 
when  he  returned  to  Kngland  and  took  his  seat  in  the  house 
of  lords. 

50.  A  proceeding  of  the  house  of  representatives,  near  the 
close  of  his  administration,,  ought  not  to  be  passed  over  with 
out  notice.     Wearied  by  their  sufferings,  they  appointed  a 
committee  of  grievances, who  reported  a  series  of  resolutions 
having  reference  to  recent  transactions,  which  resolutions 
were  adopted  by  the  house.     One  of  them,  in  explicit  lan 
guage,  asserted  the  principle,    w  that  the  imposing  and  levy 
ing  of  any  moneys  upon  her  majesty's  subjects  of  this  colony, 
under  any  pretence  or  color  whatsoever,  without  consent  in 
general  assembly,  is  a  grievance  and  a  violation  of  the  peo>- 
pie's  property."     It  is  riot  un instructive  to  observe  how  early, 
in  some  of  the  colonies,  were  sown- the  seeds  of  the  American 
revolution. 

51.  In   1710,   general  Hunter,  who  had  been   appointed 
governor,  arrived  in  the  province.     He   brought  with   him 
near  three  thousand  Germans,  some  of  whom  settled  in  New 
York,  and  some  in  Pennsylvania.     The  latter  transmitted  to 
their  native   land  such   favorable  accounts  of  the  country 
which  they  had  chosen  for  their  residence,  that  many  others 
followed  and  settled  In  that  colony.  The  numerous  descend 
ants  of  these  Germans  are   honest,  industrious,  and  usefu. 
citizens. 

52.  The   prodigality  of  lord  Cornbury   had  taught   the 
assembly  an   important  lesson.     Before   his  removal,  they 
had  obtained  from  the  queen  permission,  in  cases  of  special 
appropriations,  to  appoint  their  own  treasurer.     They  now 
passed  a   bill   confiding  to  this  officer  the  disbursement  of 
certain  sums  appropriated  for  ordinary  purposes..     The  coun 
cil  proposed  an  amendment.     The  house  denied  the  right  of 
that  body  to  amend  a  money  bill.    Both  continuing  obstinate, 
the  governor  prorogued  them,  and  at  tlieir  next  session  dis 
solved  them. 

53.  At   this  time   war    existed    between    England    and 
France.     In  1709,  expensive  pro  partitions  were  made  for  an 
attack  upon  Canada,  but  the  promised  assistance  not  arriving 
from  England,  the  enterprise  was  abandoned.     In  1711,  the 


NEW  YQRK.  79 

project  was  resumed.  A  fleet  sailed  up  the  St.  OLawrence,  to 
attack  Quebec ;  and  an  army  of  four  thousand  men,  raised 
by  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Connecticut,  inarched  to  in 
vade  Canada  by  the  route  of  lake  Charnplain.  The  fleet, 
shattered  by  a  storm,  was  compelled  to  return.  The  army, 
informed  of  the  disasters  of  the  fleet,  returned  also,  having 
accomplished  nothing. 

54.  The  people,  approving  the  conduct  of  their  represen 
tatives  in  relation   to  the   revenue,  had  re-elected  nearly  all 
of  them,  and  they  were  now  in  session.     To  defray  the  ex 
penses' of  the  late  expedition,  they  passed  several  bills  which 
were  amended  in  the   council.     Between   these   two  bodies, 
another  contest  ensued.     The  representatives,  deriving  their 
authority  from  the  people,  considered  themselves  bound  to 
watch  over  the  expenditure  of  their  money.     The  council, 
deriving  their  authority  from  the  same  source  as  the  gover 
nor,  were  desirous  of  increasing  his  influence  by  giving  him 
the  management  of  the  revenue.     During  this,  and  a  subse 
quent  session,  both  continued  inflexible.    The  governor,  pro 
voked  at  the  obstinacy  of  the   representatives,  dissolved  the 
assembly. 

55.  At  the  ensuing  election,  which  was  warmly  contested, 
most  of  the  members  chosen  were  opposed  to  the  governor. 
The  assembly  was  dissolved  by  the  death  of  the  -queen.  The 
next  was  dissolved  by  the  governor,  soon  after  it  first  met,  a 
majority  of  the  representatives  being  known  to  be  unfriendly 
to  his  views.     The    people   became   weary  of  contending. 
Most  of  the  members  chosen  at  the  succeeding  election,  were 
his  friends  and  partisans,  and,  for  several  years,  the  utmost 
harmony  existed  between  the  different  branches  of  the  go 
vernment. 

56.  Governor  Hunter  quitted  the  province  in  1719,  and  his 
authority  devolved  on  Peter  Schuyler,  the  oldest  member  of 
the  council.     The  next  year,  William  Burnet,  son  of  the  ce 
lebrated   bishop    of  that   name,    was    appointed    governor. 
Turning  his  attention  towards  the  wilderness,  he  perceived 
that  the  French,  in  order  to  connect  their  settlements  in  Ca 
nada  and  Louisiana,   to  secure    to  themselves  the   Indian 
trade,  and  to  confine  the  English  to  the  sea  coast,  were  busily 
employed  in  erecting  a  chain  of  forts  from  the  St.  Lawrence 
to  the  Mississippi. 

57.  He  endeavored  to  defeat  their  design,  by  building  a 
trading  house,  and   afterwards  a  fort,  at  Oswego,  on   lake 
Ontario.     But  the  French  had  the  command  of  more  abun 
dant  resources,  and  implied  them  to  the  accomplishment  of 


SO  NEW  YORK. 

their  object,  with  great  activity  and  zeal.  They  launched 
two  vessels  upon  that  lake  ;  and,  going  farther  into  the  wil 
derness,  erected  a  fort  at  Niagara,  commanding  the  entrance 
into  it ;  they  had  previously  erected  fort  Frontenac,  com- 
manding  the  outlet. 

58.  The   assembly,   elected  in    1716,  had   been    so  obse 
quious  to  the  governor,  that  he  continued  it  in  existence 
until  the  clamors  of  the  people  induced  him,  in   1727,  to 
dissolve  it.     That  which  next  met,  was   composed   entirely 
of  his  opponents-     The    court    of   chancery,  in  which  he 
presided,   had  become  exceedingly  unpopular.     It  had  been 
instituted  by  an   ordinance  of   the    governor    and    council, 
without  the  concurrence    of  the  assembly;    the    mode    of 
proceeding    was    novel ;    and    some    of   the    decisions  had 
given  great  offence    to    powerful    individuals.     The   house 
passed  resolutions  declaring  it  "  a  manifest   oppression  and 
grievance,"  and  intimating  that  its  decrees  were  void.     The 
governor  instantly  called  the  assembly  before  him,  and  dis 
solved  it. 

59.  Baing   soon   after  appointed  governor  of  Massachu 
setts,  he  was  succeeded  by  colonel  Montgomery,  upon  whose 
death,  in   1731,  the   supreme   authority  devolved  upon  Rip 
Van  Dam,  the   senior  member  of  the  council.     Under  his 
short  and  inefficient   administration,  the  French  were  per 
mitted  to  erect  a  fort  at  Crown  Point,  within  the  acknow 
ledged  boundaries  of  New  York,  from  which  parties  of  sa 
vages  were  often  secretly  despatched  to  destroy  the  English 
settlements. 

60.  Van  Dam  was  superseded  by  William  Cosby,  who  ar 
rived  in  August,  1732.     Having  been  the  advocate,  in  par 
liament,  of  the  American  colonies,  he  was   at   first  popular, 
but  soon  lost  the  affection  and  confidence  of  the  people.  By 
his  instigation,  one  Zanger,  the  printer  of  a  newspaper,  was 
prosecuted  for  publishing  an  article   declared  to  be  deroga 
tory  to  the  dignity  of  his  majesty's  government.     He  was 
zealously  defended  by  able  counsel,  and  an  independent  jury 
gave   a  verdict  of  acquittal.     The  people  applauded  their 
conduct,  and  the  magistrates  of  the  city  of  New  York  pre 
sented  to  Andrew  Hamilton,  one  of  his  defenders,  the  free 
dom  of  the  city,  in  a  gold  box,  and  their  thanks  for  "  his 
learned  and  generous  defence  of  the  rights  of  mankind,  and 
the  liberty  of  the  press." 

61.  Governor  Cosby  died  in  1736,  and  was  succeeded  by 
George  Clark,  at  that  time  senior  counsellor,  but  soon  after 
appointed  lieutenant-governor.     Again  was  revived  the  cori. 


NEW  YORK.  81 

test  which  had  ended,  twenty  years  before,  in  the  victory 
gained  by  governor  Hunter  over  the  house  of  representatives. 
The  colony  being  in  debt,  the  house  voted  to  raise  the  sum  of 
six  thousand  pounds ;  but,  in  order  to  prevent  its  misappli 
cation,  declared,  that  it  should  be  applied  to  the  payment 
of  certain  specified  debts.  Offended  by  this  \ote,  Clark 
resorted  to  the  expedient  which  had  usually  been  adopted 
to. punish  or  intimidate;  he  immediately  dissolved  the  as- 
sernbly. 

62.  At  the  next  election,  great  exertions  were  made  by 
the  opposing  parties.     The   popular  party  was  triumphant. 
At  their  second  session,  the  house   voted  an   address  to  the 
lieutenant-governor,   which  is  worthy  of  particular  notice. 
In  bold  and  explicit  language,  they  state  some  of  the  vital 
principles  of  free  government,  refer  to  recent  misapplications 
of  money,  arid  proceed  : — 

63.  "  We    therefore    beg    leave    to   be    plain  with  your 
honor,  and  hope  you  will  not  take  it  amiss  when  we  tell 
you,  that  you  are  not  to  expect  that  we  will  either  raise 
sums  unfit  to  be  raised,  or  put  what  we  shall    raise    into 
the  power  of  a  governor    to   misapply,  if  we  can  prevent 
it ;  nor  shall  we  make  up  any  other  deficiencies  than  what 
we  conceive  are  fit  and  just  to  be  paid ;  nor  continue  what 
support  or  revenue  we  shall  raise,  for  any  longer'tiinc  than 
one  year ;  rior  do  we  think  it  convenient  to  do  even  that, 
until  such  laws  are  passed  as    we    conceive  necessary  for 
the   safety  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony,  who  have  re- 
posed  a  trust  in  us  for  that  only  purpose,  and  which  we  are 
sure  you  will  think  it  reasonable  \ve  should  act  agreeably  to; 
and  by  the  grace  of  God  we  shall  endeavor  not  to  deceive 
them." 

(54.  With  a  body  of  men,  so  resolute  in  asserting  their 
rights,  the  lieutenant-governor  wisely  forbore  to  contend. 
He  thanked  them  for  their  address,  arid  promised  his  cordial 
co-operation  in  all  measures  calculated  to  promote  the  pros 
perity  of  the  colony.  He  gave  his  assent  to  a  law  provid. 
ing  for  the  more  frequent  election  of  representatives  ;  which 
law,  however,  two  years  afterwards,  was  abrogated  by  the 
king. 

65.  But  between  a  house  of  representatives  and  a  chiei 
magistrate,  deriving  their  authority  from  different  sources, 
harmony  could  not  long  subsist.  Mr.  Clark,  in  his  speech 
at  *he  opening  of  the  next  session,  declared  that  unless 
the  revenue  was  granted  for  as  long  a  time  as  it  had  been 
granted  by  former  assemblies,  his  duty  to  his  majesty 


82  NEW  YORK, 

forbade  him  from  assenting  to  any  act  for  continuing  the 
excise,  or  for  paying  the  colonial  bills  of  credit.  The 
house  unanimously  resolved,  that  it  would  not  pass  any  bill 
for  the  grant  of  money,  unless  assurance  should  be  given 
that  the  excise  should  be  continued  and  the  bills  of  credit 
redeomed. 

66.  The     lieutenant-governor    immediately    ordered    the 
members  to  attend  him.     He  told  them  that    "  their  pro- 
ceedings   were  presumptuous,    daring,   and   unprecedented  ; 
that  he  could  not  look  upon  them  without    astonishment, 
nor  with  honor  suffer  the  house  to  sit   any  longer :"  and  he 
accordingly  dissolved    it.      Little    more    than    a  year  had 
elapsed,  since  the  members  were   chosen  ;  but   in  that  time 
they  had,  by  their  firm  and  spirited  conduct,  in  support  of 
the  rights  of  the  people,  merited  the  gratitude  of  their  con- 
stitucnts.  i 

67.  About  this  time,  a  supposed  "  negro  plot"  occasioned 
great  commotion  and  alarm  in  the  city  of  New  York.     The 
frequent  occurrence  of  fires,  most  of  which  were  evidently 
caused  by  design,  first  excited  the  jealousy  and  suspicion  of 
the  citizens.     Terrified  by  danger  which  lurked  unseen  in 
the    rnidst   of  them,  they  listened  with  eager  credulity  to 
the  declaration  of   some    abandoned  females,   that  the'  ne 
groes  had  combined  to  burn  the    city    and   make    one    of 
their  number  governor.     Many  wrere  arrested  and  committed 
to  prison.     Other  witnesses,  not  more  respectable  than  the 
first,    came    forward ;    other    negroes    were    accused,    and 
even  several  white  men  were  designated  as  concerned  in  the 
plot. 

68.  When  the  time  of   trial  arrived,   so  strong  was  the 
prejudice  against  the  miserable   negroes,  that  every  lawyer 
in  the  city  volunteered  against  them.     Ignorant  and  unas 
sisted,  nearly  all  who  were   tried   were   condemned.     Four 
teen  were  sentenced  to   be  burned,  eighteen  to  be  hung,  se 
venty-one  to  be  transported,  and   all   these   sentences   were 
executed.     Of  the  whites  two  were  convicted  and  suffered 
death. 

69.  All   apprehension  of  danger   having   subsided,  many 
began  to  doubt  whether  any  plot  had  in  fact  been  concerted. 
None  of  the  witnesses  were  persons  of  credit,  their  stories 
were  extravagant  and  often    contradictory  ;  and  the  project 
was  such  as  none  but  fools  or  madmen  would  form.     The 
twro  white  men  were  respectable ;  one  had  received  a  liberal 
education,  but  he  was  a  Catholic,  and  the   prejudice  against 
Catholics  was  too  violent  to  permit  the  free  exercise  of  rea- 


NEW  YORK.  83 

son.  Some  of  the  accused  were  doubtless  guilty  of  setting 
fire  to  the  city  ;  but  the  proof  of  the  alleged  plot  was  not  suf- 
ficiently  clear  to  justify  the  numerous  and  cruel  punishments 
that  were  inflicted. 

70.  In  April,  1740,  the  assembly  again  met.     It  had  now 
risen  to  importance  in  the   colony.     The  adherence   of  the 
representatives  to  their  determination,  not  to  grant  the  reve 
nue  for  more  than  one  year,  made   annual   meetings  of  the 
assembly  necessary.     This  attachment  to  liberty  was  mista 
ken  for  the   desire   of  independence.     Lieutenant-governor 
Clark,  in  a  speech  delivered  in  1741,  alludes  to  "  a  jealousy 
which  for  some  years   had  obtained  in  England,  that  the 
plantations  were  not  without  thoughts  of  throwing  off  their 
dependence  on  the  crown." 

71.  In  1743,  George  Clinton  was  sent  over  as  governor 
of  the  colony.     lake  most  of  his  predecessors,  he  was  wel 
comed  with   joy ;  a.nd  one    of  his    earliest    measures    con 
firmed  the  favorable    accounts,  which    had    preceded    him, 
of  his  talents  and  liberality.     To  show  his  willingness  to 
repose  confidence  in  the  people,  he  assented  to  a  bill  lim 
iting  the    duration   of  the  present  and  all  succeeding   as 
semblies.     The    house    manifested   its    gratitude  by  adopt 
ing    the    measures    he    recommended    for    the    defence    of 
the  province  against  the  French,  who  were  then  at  war  with 
England. 

72.  In  1745,  the  savages  in   alliance  with   France  made 
frequent  invasions  of  the  English   territories.     The   inhab 
itants   were    compelled    to   desert   Hosick ;    Saratoga  was 
destroyed  ;  the  western  settlements  in  New  England  wero 
often   attacked   and    plundered.       Encouraged    by  success, 
the  enemy  became  more  daring,  and  small  parties  ventured 
within   the  suburbs   of  Albany,  and  there   lay  in  wii.it  for 
prisoners.     It  is  even  said  that  one  Indian,  called  Tornon- 
wilemon,  often   entered  the    city  and  succeeded  in  taking 
captives. 

73.  Distressed  by  these  incursions,  the  assembly,  in  1746, 
determined  to  unito  with  the  other  colonies  and  the  mother 
country  in   an   expedition    against    Canada.     They    appro 
priated   money  to    purchase  provisions  for    the  army,  and 
offered  liberal  bounties  to  recruits.     But  the  fleet  from  Eng 
land  did  not  arrive  at  the  appointed  time ;  the   other   colo 
nies  were  dilatory  in  their  preparations,  and  before  they  were 
completed,   UIQ   season   for  military  operations  had  passed 
away. 

74.  Early  in  the  next  year,  a  treaty  was  concluded,  and 


84  NEW  JERSEY. 

the  inhabitants  were,  for  a  short  period,  relieved  from  the 
burdens  and  distresses  of  war.  During  the  interval  of  peace, 
no  event  of  importance  happened  in  the  colony.  Upon  the 
recurrence,  a  few  years  afterwards,  of  hostilities,  its  territory 
was  the  theatre  of  sanguinary  conflicts.  B&t  of  that  war,  in 
which  all  the  colonies  acted  in  concert,  a  connected  history 
will  be  hereafter  given. 


CHAPTER  VIL 
NEW  JERSEY. 

THE  first  settlement  within  the  limits  of  New  Jersey  was 
made  by  the  Danes,  about  the  year  1624,  at  a  place  called 
Bergen,  from  a  city  of  that  name  in  Norway.  Soon  after- 
wards,  several  Dutch  families  sealed  themselves  in  the  vici 
nity  of  New  York.  In  1626,  a  company  was  formed  in 
Sweden,  under  the  patronage  of  king  Gustavus  Adolphus, 
for  the  purpose  of  planting  a  colony  in  America.  The  next 
year  a  number  of  Swedes  and  Finns  came  over,  purchased  of 
the  natives  the  land  on  both  sides  of  the  river  Delaware,  but 
made  their  first  settlement  on  its  western  bank,  near  Chris, 
tina  creek. 

2.  About  the  year  1640,  the  English  began  a  plantation  at 
Elsinburgh,  on  its  eastern  bank.     The   Swedes,  in  concert 
with  the  Dutch  who  then  possessed  New  York,  drove  them 
out  of  the  country.     The   former  built  a  fort  on  the  spot 
whence  the  English  had  been  driven  ;  and,  gaining  thus  the 
command  of  the  river,  claimed  and  exorcised  authority  over 
all  vessels  that  entered  it,  even  those  of  the  Dutch,  their  late 
associates. 

3.  They  continued  in  possession  of  the  country  on  both 
sides  of  the  Delaware,  until  1655,  when  Peter  Stuyves;mt, 
governor  of  the  New  Netherlands,  having  obtained  assistance 
from  Holland,  conquered  all  their  posts?  and  transported  most 
of  the  Swedes  to  Europe.     The  Dutch  were  now  in  posses 
sion  of  the  territory,  comprising,  at  this  time,  the  states  of 
New  Jersey,  New  York,  and  Delaware. 

4.  Soon,  however,  this  territory  changed  misters.     King 
Charles  II.,  having  granted  it  to  the  duke  of  York,  sont  an 
armament,  in  1664,  to  wrest  it  from  the  Dutch.     After  re 
ducing  New  York,  the  squadron  proceeded  to  the  settlements 
on  the   Delaware,  which  immediately  submitted.      In  thii 


NEW  JERSEY:  85 

same  year,  the  duke  conveyed  that  portion  of  his  grant,  lying 
between  Hudson  and  Delaware  rivers,  to  lord  Berkeley  and 
sir  George  Carteret.  This  tract  was  called  New  Jersey,  in 
compliment  to  sir  George,  who  had  been  governor  of  the 
island  of  Jersey,  and  had  held  it  for  king  Charles  in  his  con 
test  with  the  parliament. 

5.  The    two   proprietors   formed    a    constitution  for  the 
colony,  securing  equal  privileges  and  liberty  of  conscience 
to  all,  and  appointed  Philip  Carteret  governor.     He   came 
over  in   1665,  fixed   the   seat  of  government  at   Elizabelh- 
town,  purchased  land  of  the  Indians,  and  sent  agents  into 
New   England  to  invite  settlers   from  that  quarter.     The 
terms  offered  were   so   favorable    that  many  accepted  the ' 
invitation. 

6.  A  few  years  afterwards,  the  repose  of  the  colony  began 
to  be  disturbed  by  domestic  disputes.     Some  of  the  inhabi 
tants,  having  purchased  their  lands  of  the  Indians  previous 
to  the  conveyance  from  the  duke,  refused  to  pay  rent  to  the 
proprietors.    Others  were  discontented  from  different  causes. 
In  1672,  an  insurrection  took  place,  the  people  assumed  the 
government,  and 'chose  Jaines   Carteret,  the  son  of  Philip, 
their  governor;.    The  father  returned   to   England,  and  ob 
tained  from  the-  proprietors  such  favorable  concessions  and 
promises  as  quieted  the  people,  and  induced  him  again  to 
submit  to  his  authority. 

7.  Lord  Berkeley  disposed  of  his  property,  rights,  and  pri 
vileges  in  the  territory,  to   Edward  Billinge  ;  and  he,  being 
involved  in  debt,  consented  that  they  should  be  sold  for  the 
benefit  of  his  creditors.  WILLIAM  PEXN,  Gawcn  Lawrie,  and 
Nicholas  Lucas,  were  appointed  trustees  for  that  purpose. 
In  1676,  the  trustees  arid  sir  George  Carteret  made  partition 
of  the  territory,  they  taking  the  western   and  he  the  eastern 
portion. 

8.  West  Jersey  was  then  divided  into  one  hundred  shares, 
which  were  separately  sold.     Some  of  the  purchasers  emi 
grated  to  the  country,  and  all  made   great  exertions  to  pro 
mote  its  population.     Possessing  the  powers  of  government, 
as  well  as  the  right  of  soil,  they  formed  a  constitution,  in 
which,  for  the  encouragement  of  emigrants,  they  secured  to 
them  ample  privileges. 

9.  But  previous  to  the  transfer  from  Berkeley  to  Billinge, 
the   Dutch    being  at  war  with   England,   reconquered  the 
country,  and  retained  it,  until  1674,  when  it  was  restored  by 
treaty.     A  new  patent  was  then  granted  to  tho  duke,  in 
cluding  the  same  territory  as  the  former.     In  1678,  sir  Ed 

8 


8G  NEW  JERSEY. 

mund  Andross,  who  had  been  appointed  his  sole  governor  in 
America,  claimed  jurisdiction  over  the  Jerseys,  insisting  that 
the  conquest  by  the  Dutch  divested  the  proprietors  of  all 
their  rights. 

10.  He  forcibly  seized,    transported    to    New  York,  and 
there  imprisoned  those  magistrates  who  refused  to  acknow 
ledge  his  authority.      He    imposed  a  duty  upon  all  goods 
imported,  and  upon   the  property  of  all  who  came  to  settle 
in  the  country.     Of   this   injustice    the    inhabitants  loudly 
complained  to    the    duke ;    and    at    length    their    repeated 
remonstrances  constrained  him  to  refer  the  matter  to  com. 
missioners. 

11.  Before  them  the  proprietors  appeared.     In  strong  Ian- 
guage  they  asserted,   and   by   strong  arguments  supported, 
their  claim  to  the  privileges  c    freemen.     They  represented, 
that  the  king  had  granted  to  the  duke  the  right  of  govern, 
ment  as  well  as  the  right  of  soil.     That  the  duke  had  trans 
ferred  the  sa.me  rights  to  Berkeley  and  Carte  ret,  and  they  to 
the  present  proprietors. 

12.  "  That  only,"  they  added,   "  could  have  induced  us  to 
purchase  lands  and  emigrate.     And  the  reason  is  plain  ;  to 
all  prudent  men,  the  government  of  any  place  is  more  invit 
ing  than  the  soil ;  for  what  is  good  land  without  good  laws  ? 
What  but  an  assurance  that  we  should  enjoy  civil  and  reli 
gious  privileges,  could  have  tempted  us  to  leave  a  cultivated 
country,  and  resort  to  a  gloomy  wilderness  ?    What  have  wo 
gained,  if,  after  adventuring  in  this  wilderness  many  thou 
sands  of  pounds,  we  are  yet  to  be  taxed  at  the  mere  will  and 
pleasure  of  another  ?     What  is  it  but  to  say,  that  people  fres 
by  law  under  their  princa  at  home,  are  at  his  mercy  in  his 
plantations  abroad  ?  . 

13.  "  \Ve   humbly   say,  that  we   have   lost  none   of  our 
liberty  by  leaving  our  country ;  that  the  duty  imposed  upon 
us  is  without  precedent  or   parallel ;  that,  had  we   foreseen 
it,  we  should  have  preferred  any  other  plantation  in  Ame 
rica.     Besides,  there   is  no  limit  to  this  power;  since  wo 
are,  by  this  precedent,  taxed  without  any  law,  and   thereby 
excluded    from    our    English    right  of  assenting  to  taxes ; 
what  security  have  we  of  any  thing  we  possess  ?     We  can 
call  nothing  our  own,  but  are  tenants    at    will,   not  only 
for  the  soil,  but  for  our  personal  estates.     Such  conduct  has 
destroyed   governments,   but  never    raised  one  to  any  true 
greatness." 

14.  The  commissioners  adjudged  the   duties  illegal   and 
oppressive,  and  they  were  not  afterwards  demanded.     Emi- 


DELAWARE.  S7 

f  rants  continued  to  arrive  and  the  country  to  prosper.     In 
G81,  the  governor  of  West  Jersey  summoned  a  general  as. 
sembly,  by  which  several  fundamental   laws  were   enacted, 
establishing1  the  rights  of  the  people,  and  defining  the  powers 
of  rulers. 

15.  In  1682,  the  territory  of  East  Jersey  passed  from  Car- 
teret  to  William  Pcnn,  and  twenty-three  associates,  mostly 
of  the  Quaker  persuasion.     They  appointed  Robert  Barclay 
author  of  the   "  Apology  for  the  Quakers,"  governor  over  it 
for  life.     The   multitude   of  proprietors,    and  the   frequent 
transfers  and  subdivisions  of  shares,  introduced  such  confu 
sion  in  titles  to  laud,  and   such   Uncertainty  as  to  the  rights 
of  government,  that,  for  twenty  years  afterwards,  both  Jer 
seys  were  in  a  state  of  continued  disturbance  and  disorder. 
In    1702,    the   proprietors,  weary   of  contending  with  each 
other,  and  with  the  people,  surrendered  the  right  of  govern 
ment  to  the  crown.    Queen  Anne  reunited  the  two  divisions, 
and  appointed  lord  Cornbury  governor  over  the  provinces  of 
New  Jersey  and  New  York. 

16.  These   provinces  continued,   for  several  years,  to  be 
ruled  by  the  same  governor,  but  each  chose  a  separate  as 
sembly.     In  1738,  the  inhabitants,  by  petition  to  the   king, 
desired  that  they  might,  in  future,  have  a  separate  governor. 
Their  request  was  granted,  Lewis  Morris  being  the  first  that 
was  appointed. 

17.  In  the   same  year,  a  college  was  founded  at, Prince 
ton  and  called  Nassau   Hall,     New  Jersey  then  contained 
above    forty    thousand    inhabitants.      Being    remote    from 
Canada,    the    source    of  most   of  the   Indian    wars   which 
afflicted     the    northern    colonies,    it    enjoyed    a    complete 
exemption  from   that  terrible   calamity,  and  until  the  com 
mencement  of  the   revolution,   furnished  no  materials  for 
history. 


CHAPTER  VIII, 
DELAWARE. 

Tins  colony  was  first  settled  by  a  company  of  Swedes 
and  Finns,  under  the  patronage  of  king  Gustavus  Adolphus. 
They  came  over  in  1627,  and  landing  at  cape  Henlopen, 
were  so  charmed  with  its  appearance,  that  they  gave  it 
the  name  of  Paradise  Point.  The  country  they  called 


88  DELAWARE. 

New  Sweden,  and  the  river  Delaware,  New  -  Swedclancl 
stream.  They  purchased  of  the  Indians  the  lands  on  both 
sides  of  that  river,  from  the  sea  to  the  fulls,  and  seated 
themselves  at  the  mouth  of  Christina  creek,  near  Wil 
mington. 

2.  Being  frequently  molested  by  the  Dutch,  who  claimed 
a  right  to  the  country,  they,  for  their  protection,  built  forts 
at    Christina,    Lewistovvn,    and   Tinicum.    'The    lust   waa 
their   seat   of  government,   and   there  John    Printz,    their 
governor,  erected    an    elegant    mansion,   which    he  named 
Printz  Hall. 

3.  In  1651,  the  Dutch  built  a  fort  at  New  Castle.    Printz, 
considering  this  place   to  be  within  the  Swedish  territories, 
formally  protested  against  the  proceeding.  .Risingh,  his  suc 
cessor,  made   a   visit,  under  the  guise   of  friendship,  to  the 
commander  of  the  fort,  and,  being  accompanied   by  thirty 
men,  treacherously  took  possession;  of  it,  while  enjoying  his 
hospitality. 

4.  Peter  Stuyvesant,  the  Dutch  governor  of  New  York, 
was  not  of  a  temper  to  permit  ,zn  injury  thus  committed  to 
pass  unavenged.     Accompanied  by  an  armament,  a  part  of 
which  was  furnished  for  the  occasion  by  the  city  of  Amster 
dam,  in  Holland,  he,  in  1655,  returned  the  visit  of  the  Swedes. 
He  first  reduced  the  fort  at  "New  Castle ;  then  at  Christina 
creek,    where    Risingh    commanded;    and    afterwards   the 
others.  Some  of  the  Swedes,*  on  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  Holland,  were  permitted  to  remain ;  the  rest  were  sent  to 
Europe. 

5.  The  settlements  on  the  ^Delaware  continued  under  the 
control  of  the  Dutch,  until  1864,  when  the  New  Netherlands 
were  conquered  by  the  English.     They  were  then  considered 
as  a  part  of  New  York.     In  '1082,  William  Penn  purchased 
of  the  duke  of  York,  the  town  of  New  Castlo,  and  the  country 
twelve  miles  around  it ;  and  by  a  subsequent  purchase,  ob 
tained  the  land  lying  upon  the  Delaware,  and  between  New 
Castle  and  cape  Henlopen.    'These  tracts,  which  constitute 
the  present  state  of  Delaware,  were  called  the  "  Territo 
ries,"  and  were,  for  twenty  years,  governed  as  a  part  of  Penn 
sylvania. 

6.  They  were  divided  Into  three   counties,  New  Castle. 
Kent,  and  Sussex,  each  of  which  sent  six  delegates  to  thd 
general    assembly.      In    1703,    these  delegates,  dissatisfied 
with    the   last   charter   which    Penn    had   prepared,  and  a 
majority  of  the  assembly  had  adopted,  seceded,  and,  liberty 
being  given,  formed  a  separate  and  distinct  assembly.     The 


PENNSYLVANIA,  8U 

two  portions  of  the  woTTince  «vere  never  afterwards  united, 
but  the  pr'.^rieior  continued  to  possess  the  same  jurisdiction, 
and  the  same  person  uniformly  acted  as  governor  over 
both. 

7.  Sheltered  by  the  surrounding  provinces,  E^laware 
enjoyed  an  entire  exernntrci.  rrom  wars,  except  those  in 
which,  as  a  oarf  if  «,ne  British  empire,  she  was  obliged  to 
participalO.  In  the  war  with  Franco,  which  terminated 
in  17G3,  she  was  second  to  none  in  active  zeal  to  assist 
the  parent  state.  In  the  revolutionary  war,  the  Delaware 
regiment  was  considered  the  most  efficient  in  the  conti 
nental  army. 


CHAPTER  IX. 
PENNSYLVANIA. 

WILLIAM  PENN,  the  founder  of  Pennsylvania,  was  the  son 
of  sir  William  Penn,  an  admiral  in  the  British  navy.  In 
his  youth  he  joined  the  Quakers,  then  an  obscure  and  per 
secuted  sect.  While  superintending  the  settlement  of  New 
Jersey,  he  became  acquainted  with  an  extensive  tract 
of  fertile,  unoccupied  land,  lying  between  the  territories 
of  the  duke  of  York  and  lord  Baltimore.  At  his  solici 
tation,  and  in  recompense  for  unrequited  services  which 
his  father  had  rendered  the  nation,  this  tract  was,  in 
1681,  granted  to  him  in  full  property,  and  by  the  king  called 
Pennsylvania. 

2.  Desirous  of  selling  his  lands  and  founding  a  colony,  he, 
In  a  public  advertisement,  described  the  country,  and  set  forth 
the  advantages  which  it  offered  to  emigrants.     Many  per- 
sons,  chiefly  Quakers,  were  induced  to  purchase.     The  fee 
simple  of  the  soil  was  sold  at  the  rate  of  twenty  pounds  for 
every  thousand  acres ;  and  they  who  rented  lands,  agreed  to 
pay  one  penny  yearly  per  acre.     Before  the  emigrants  em. 
barked,  certain  "  conditions  and  concessions"  were  by  them 
and  the  proprietor  agreed  upon  and  subscribed. 

3.  In  the   fall,  three  ships,   carrying  settlers,   sailed  for 
Pennsylvania.      The    pious    and    philanthropic    proprietor 
sent  a  letter    to    the    Indians,    informing   them    that  "  the 
great   God   had  been   pleased   to   make    him    concerned    in 
their  part  of  the  world,   and  that  the  king  of  the  country 
where   he  lived,   had   given  him  a   great  province   therein; 

8* 


90  PENNSYLVANIA. 

but  that  he  did  not  desire  to  enjoy  it  without  their  consent ; 
that  he  was  a  man  of  peace  ;  and  that  the  people  whom  he 
sent  were  of  the  same  disposition  ;  and  if  any  difference 
should  happen  between  them,  it  might  be  adjusted  by  an 
equal  number  of  men  chosen  on  both  sides."  The  position 
selected  by  these  emigrants  for  a  settlement  was  above  the 
cowfluence  of  the  Delaware  and  the  Schuylkill. 

4.  In  April,   1682,  Penn  published  a  Frame  of  Govern 
ment,  the  chief  object  of  which  was  declared  to  be  "  to  sup 
port  power  in  reverence   with   the  people,    and  to   secure 
the  people  from  the  abuse  of  power."     He  published  also  a 
Body  of  Laws,  which  had  been   examined   and  approved 
by  the  emigrants  in  England ;  and  which,  says  an  eminent 
historian,  "  dons  great  honor  to  their  wisdom  as  statesmen 
to  their  morals   as   men,   and   to  their  spirit  as  colonists. 
From  the  duke  of  York,  he  obtained  the  relinquishment  of  a 
tract  of  land,  lying   on   the    south  side    of  the   Delaware, 
a  part  of  which   was  already  settled,  and  in  August,  ac 
companied  by  about  two  thousand  emigrants,  set  sail  for 
America. 

5.  He  landed  first  at  New  Castle,  which  was  a  part  of 
the    "Territories,"   as   the   land   conveyed   to  him   by  the 
duke  was  called.     Upon  this   tract  he  found   about  three 
thousand  Dutch,   Swedes,    and  .Finns.     'He  'proceeded   to 
Chester,   where   he   called   an   assembly   on   the   fourth    of 
December.     This  assembly  annexed  the  Territories  to  the 
province,  adopted  the  Frame  of  Government,  and  enacted  in 
form  the  Body  of  Laws.     Penn  also  made  a  treaty  with  the 
Indians,  from  whom  he    purchased   as   much   land  as  Tthe 
circumstances   of  the    colony    required.     He    selected    the 
site,    and    marked    out    the  plan,  of  an  extensive  city,  :to 
which  he  gave  the  name  of 'Philadelphia,  or  the  city  of  love. 
Before  the  end  of  the  year,  it  contained  eighty  houses  and 
cottages. 

6.  The  settlement  of  none  of  the  colonies  commenced 
under   such    favorable    auspices    as   that   of  Pennsylvania. 
The  experience  of  half  a  century  had  disclosed  the  evils  to 
be  avoided,  and  pointed  out  the  course  to  be  pursued.     The 
Indians,  having  been  already  taught  to  fear  the  power  of  the 
whites,  were  the  more  easily  conciliated  by  their  kindness. 
The  soil  being  fertile,  the  climate  temperate,  and  the  game 
abundant,  the  first  emigrants  escaped  most  of  the  calam 
ities  which  afflicted  the   more  northern  and  southern  pro 
vinces.     The  increase  of  population  exceeded,  of  course,  all 
former  example. 


PENNSYLVANIA.  91 

7.  In  the  new  city,  a  second  assembly  was  held  in  March, 
1683.     At  the  request  of  the  freemen  and  delegates,  Penn. 
granted  them  a  second  charter,  which  diminished  the  num 
ber  of  the  council  and  assembly,  and  was,  in  other  respects, 
different  from  the  first.     Some  of  the   regulations,  at  that 
time  adopted,  bear  the  impress  of  the  proprietor's  singular 
genius,  and  benevolent  disposition. 

8.  It   was   ordained    "  that,   to    prevent   lawsuits,   three 
arbitrators,   to    be  'called    peace-makers,   should    be    chosen 
by  the  county  courts,  to  hear  arid   determine   small   differ 
ences   between   man   and   man':    That   children   should   be 
taught   some  useful  trade,  to  the  end   that  none   might  be 
idle,  that  the  poor  might  work  to  live,  and  the  rich  if  they 
should  become  poor  :  That  factors,  wronging  their  employ 
ers,   should   make   satisfaction   arid   one   third    over :   That 
every  thing,  which  excites  the  people  to  rudeness,  cruelty, 
and  irreligion,  should  be  discouraged  and  severely  punished  : 
That  no  one,  acknowledging  one  God  and  living  peaceably 
in   society,    should    be  molested    for    his    opinions    or    his 
practice,  or  compelled  to  frequent  or  maintain  any  ministry 
whatever." 

9.  These  judicious  regulations  attracted  numerous  emi 
grants  ;  and  to  their  salutary  influence  must  be  attributed 
the  qualities  of  diligence,  order,  and  economy,  for  which  the 
Pennsylva.nians  are  so  justly  celebrated.     Within  four  years 
from  the  date  of  the  grant  to  Penn,  the  province  contained 
twenty  settlements,  and  Philadelphia  two  thousand  inhabi 
tants. 

10.  In   1G84,  the  proprietor  returned   to   England.     He 
left    his  province    in   profound   tranquillity,   under  the  ad 
ministration  of  five  commissioners   chosen   from  the  coun 
cil.     The  unfortunate  James   II.  soon   after   ascended  the 
throne.     "  As  he  has,"  said  Penn,   "  been  my  friend,   and 
my  father's  friend,  I   feel   bound  in  justice  to  be  a  friend 
to  him."     He  adhered  to  him  while  seated  on  the  throne, 
and  for  two  years  after  he  was  expelled   from   his  kingdom, 
the   government  of  the  province  was  administered  in    his 
name. 

11.  By  this  display  of  attachment  to  the  exiled  monarch, 
he   incurred  the  displeasure   of  king  William.     On  vague 
suspicion,  and  unfounded   charges,   ho  was  four  times  im 
prisoned.     The  government  of  his  colony  was  taken  from 
him,  and  given  to  colonel  Fletcher,  the  governor  of  New 
York.      But    by   the    severest    scrutiny,    it    was    rendered 
apparent,  that  he  had,  in  all  his  conduct,  been  actuated  as 


99  PENNSYLVANIA. 

much  bv  the  love  of  his  country  as  by  personal  gratitude. 
JLix  regained  the  good  opinion  of  king  William  ;  and,  being 
permitted  to  resume  and  exercise  his  rights,  appointed  Wil- 
liiiin  ^idr/zl^ir  to  be  his  deDut^.g-overnor. 

12.  In  1699,  he  again  visited  Pennsylvania,  and  found  the 
people  discontented.     They  complained  that  his  powers  and 
their  rights  were  not  defined  with  sufficient  precision,  and 
demanded   a   new  charter.     In   17.01,  he  prepared  and  pre. 
sented  one  to  the  assembly,  which  was  accepted.     It  gave  to 
the   assembly  the  right  of  originating  bills,  which,  by  the 
previous  charters,  was  the  right  of  the  governor  alone,  and 
of  amending  or  rejecting  those  which  might  be  laia  oefore 
them,      i  o  ih'.  governor  it  <rive  the  r*:gh..,  of  rejecting  bills 
passed  by  the  assembly,  of  appointing  his  own  council,  and 
of  exercising  the  whole  executive  power.     The  Territories, 
now  the   state   of  Delaware,   refusing  to  accept  the   new 
charter,  separated  from   Pennsylvania,   and  were   allowed  a 
distinct   assembly.     The  same  governor,  however,. presided 
over  both. 

13.  Immediately  after   his  third    charter  was   accepted, 
Penn  returned  to  England,  and  the  executive  authority  was 
afterwards  administered  by  deputy-governors  appointed  by 
the  proprietor.     The  people  incessantly  murmured  and  com 
plained  ;  but  the  uninterrupted  and  unparalleled  prosperity 
of  the  colony  demonstrates,  that  but  slight  causes  of  com- 
plaint  existed.     That  which  produced  the  greatest  and  most 
constant  irritation  was  the  refusal,  by  the  deputy-governors, 
to   assent  to  any  law  imposing  taxes  on  the  lands   of  the 
proprietors,  although  the   sum  raised  was  to  be  expended 
for  the  benefit  of  the  whole   province.     This  unwise,  and 
indeed  unjust,  claim  of  exemption,   occasioned  greater  dis 
gust  than  injury,  and  embittered  all  the  enjoyments  of  the 
inhabitants. 

14.  But  these  dissensions  did  not  in  the  least  retard  the 
prosperity  of  the  colony.     Nor  did  any  other  cause,  having 
that  tendency,  exist.     The  upright  conduct  of  Penn,  in  his 
intercourse  with  the   Indians,  was  imitated   by  those  who 
came  after  him  ;  and.  for  seventy  years,  uninterrupted  har 
mony  existed  between  them  and  the  whites.     In  the  early 
part  of  the  revolutionary  war,  the  people  adopted  a  new  con 
stitution,   by  which  the   proprietor  was  excluded  from  all 
share  in  the  government.     He  was  offered,  and  finally  ac 
cepted,  the  sum  of  570,000  dollars,  in  discharge  of  all  quit- 
rents  due  from  the  inha.bitants. 


.CHAPTER  X. 
MARYLAND. 

DURING  the  reign  of  James  I.,  the  laws  against  Roman 
Catholics  were  severe,  and  the  popular  hatred  was  inveterate. 
Lord  Baltimore,  a  distinguished  member  of  that  sect,  re 
solved,  in  consequence,  to  remove  from  England  to  Virginia, 
believing  that  he  might  there  enjoy  his  religious  opinions, 
without  violating  the  laws  or  incurring  reproach.  But  the 
people  among  whom  he  came  to  reside,  were  almost  as  into 
lerant  as  those  he  had  left,  and  he  soon  found  it  necessary 
to  seek  some  other  asylum. 

2.  Having  ascertained  that  the  territory  on  both  sides  of 
Chesapeake  bay,  was  inhabited  only  by  the  natives,  he  con 
ceived  the  project  of  planting  there  a  colony  for  himself,  and 
for  all  who  might  wish  to  retire  from  religious  persecution. 
He  explored  the  country,  returned  to  England,  obtained  the 
assent  of  king  Charles   I.  to  a  grant  of  territory,  but  died 
before  the  requisite  formalities  were  completed. 

3.  Cecil,  his  eldest  son,  and  heir  to  his  estate  and  title, 
obtained  for  himself  the  grant  intended  for  his  father.     To 
the  new  colony  the  name  of  Maryland  was  given,  in  honor 
of  Henrietta  Maria,  the  royal  consort  of  Charles.     The  land 
conveyed  being  within  the  boundaries  of  Virginia,  the  plant 
ers  in  that  province  remonstrated   against  the  grant.     The 
king  refusing  to  rescind; it,  lord   Baltimore  made  prepara 
tions  to  commence  a  settlement.    'He  appointed  his  brother, 
Leonard  Calvert,  governor ;  who,  near  the  close  of  the  year 
1633,  sailed  for  America,  accompanied  by  about  two  hun 
dred  emigrants,  mostly  Roman  Catholics. 

4.  They  arrived  in  February,  1634,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river  Potomac.    At  a  conference  with  the  Indians  who  dwelt 
on  the  shore,  they  purchased  Yoamaco,  a  considerable  vil 
lage,  the  site  of  which  St.  Mary's  now  occupies.     By  this 
measure,  wise  as  well  as  just,  the  rightful  proprietors  of  the 
soil  were  satisfied,  convenient   habitations  and   some   culti 
vated  land  were  obtained,  and  the  first  settlers  were  of  course 
exempted  from  the  miseries  of  famine,  and  from  the  diseases 
which  it  produces. 

"5.  Other  circumstances  favored  the  rapid  population  of 
the  colony.  The  charter  .granted  more  ample  privileges 
than  had  ever  been^conce'ded  to  a  subject ;  the  country  was 
inviting-;  the  natives  were  friendly ;  from  the  south  church 


94  MARYLAND. 

men  drove  puritans,  from  the  north  puritans  drove  church, 
men,  into  her  borders,  where  all  were  freely  received,  pro 
tected,  and  cherished. 

6.  The  charter  granted  to  the  inhabitants  the  privilege  of 
passing  laws  eitu/~  ;  by  themselves  or  representatives,  without 
reserving  to. the   crown,  as   had  been  done  in   all  previous 
charters,  the   right  to   reject  the  laws  so  passed.     At  first, 
when  the  freemen  were  few  in   number,  each   attended  in 
person,  or  authorized   some   other  freeman,   who   chose  to 
attend j  to  vote  and  act  in  his  stead.     The  increase  of  popu 
lation  soon  rendered  it  necessary  to  adopt  a  different  mode 
of  legislation.     In  1639,  an  act  was   passed,  constituting  a 
"  house  of  assembly,"  to  be  composed  of  such  as  should  be 
chosen  by  the  people,  of  such  as  should  be  summoned  or  ap 
pointed  by  the  proprietor,  and  of  the  governor  and  secretary. 
These  were  to  sit  together,  and  the  laws  which  they  should 
enact  were  to  possess  the  same  validity,  as  though  the  pro 
prietors    and   all    the   people    had    concurred    in   enacting 
them. 

7.  In  1650,  a  second  alteration  was  made.     The   legis 
lative  body  was  divided  into  two  branches,   the  delegates 
chosen  by  the  people  constituting  the  lower  house,  and  the 
persons  summoned  by  the  proprietors,  the  upper  house.     It 
ought  to  be  stated,  for  the  honor  of  lord  Baltimore  and  his 
associates,  that,  \vhile  the  Catholics  retained  the  ascondoncy 
in  the   province,  the  assembly  passed  no  law  abridging  the 
liberty  of  conscience. 

8.  But  this  colony,  as  well  as  all   the  others,  in  the  early 
period  of  their  existence,  was  afflicted  with   intestine  trou 
bles.     They  were   principally  caused  by  one  William  Clay- 
borne.     While  a  member  of  the  Virginia  council  he  had  ob 
tained  a  license  from  the  king,  to  traffic  in  those  parts  of 
America  where  no  other  person  enjoyed  the  exclusive  right 
of  trade.    Under  this  license,  he  had  made  a  small  settlement 
on  the  island  of  Kent,  and,  when  the  grant  was  made  to  lord 
Baltimore,  refused  to  submit  to  his  authority,    He  persuaded 
the  natives   that  the   "  new  corners"  were   Spaniards,   and 
enemies  to  the  Virginians.     An   Indian  war  was  the  conse 
quence,  which  continued  several  years,  and  was  productive 
of  considerable  distress. 

9.  Clayborne  was  indicted   and   convicted  of  murder,  pi 
racy,  and  sedition  ;  and  fleeing  from  justice,  his  estate  was 
confiscated.     He  applied  to  the  king  for  redress,  but  after  a 
full   hearing,  was  dismissed  without  obtaining  any  order  in 
his  favor.     When  the  civil  war,  between  the  king  and  par. 


MARYLAND.  95 

41 

Hament,  began,  he  embraced  the  cause  of  the  latter,  re 
turned  to  Maryland,  a-nd,  by  his  intrigues,  fomented,  in 
645,  a  rebellion  against  its  rulers,  who  were  attached  to  the 
royal  cause.  Calvert,  the  governor,  was  compelled  to  fly  to 
Virginia,  and  the  insurgents  seized  the  reins  of  government. 
The  next  year,  however,  the  revolt  was  suppressed  and 
tranquillity  restored. 

10.  Bat  after  the    parliament   had   triumphed   over   the 
king,    they    appointed    commissioners    for    "  reducing    and 
governing   the    colonies    within    the    bay    of  Chesapeake." 
Among  these  was  Clayborne,  the  evil  genius  of  Maryland. 
The  proprietor,  consenting  to  acknowledge  the  authority  of 
parliament,  was  permitted  to  retain  his  station,  but  was  una 
ble  to  preserve  tranquillity.     The   distractions  of  England, 
finding  their  way  into  the   colony,  occasioned   a  civil  war, 
which  ended  in  the  discomfiture  of  the  governor  and  Roman 
Catholics. 

11.  The   next   assembly,   which   was  entirely  under  the 
influence    of  the   victorious    party,  ordained    that    persons 
professing   t';e   Catholic   religion  should  not  be  considered 
within    the    protection    of    the    laws.       Thus    they    were 
ungratefully  persecuted  by  men  whom  they  had  tuken  to 
their    bosom,    and    in    a  colony  which    they  had    founded. 
Laws  unfavorable  to  the  Quakers  were   also  enacted,  and 
here,   as    in    England,   the   upper    house  was  voted   to   be 
useless.     At  the  restoration,  in  1660,  Philip  Calvert  ^as  ap 
pointed  governor,  and  the  ancient  order  of  things  restored. 
The   colony   then   contained    about   twelve  thousand   inha 
bitants. 

12.  In  167(5,  died  Cecil,  lord  Baltimore,  the  father  of  the 
province.     For  more  than  forty  ye;<rs,  he    had  directed  its 
affairs  as  proprietor,  and  displayed,  in  all  his  conduct,  a  be- 
nevolent  heart  and  enlightened  understanding.     Although 
he  lived  in  an  age  of  bigotry,  lie  was  liberal  in  his  opinions; 
and  for  all    his  exertions  to  contribute  to  the  happiness  of 
his    follow   beings,   he    desired   no  reward    but   their  gr<ti- 
tude.     This  reward  he  rocoived.     The  records  of  the  Ma 
ryland  assembly  contain   frequent  memorials  of  the  respect 
and  affection  of  the  people.     He  was  succeeded,  as  proprie 
tor,  by  his  eldest  son,  Charles,  who  had,  for  several  years, 
boon  governor  of  the  colony,  and  displayed  the  same  amia 
ble  qualities  which   had  rendered   his  father   respected  and 
beloved. 

13.  In   the  year  16S9,  the  epoch  of  the    revolution    in 
England,  the  repose  of  Maryland  was  again  disturbed.     4 


96  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

rumor  was  artfully  circulated,  that  the  Catholics  had  leagued 
with  the  Inidans  to  destroy  all  the  Protestants  in  the  pro- 
vince.  An  armed  association  was  immediately  formed,  for 
the  defence  of  the  Protestant  religion,  and  for  asserting  the 
rights  of  king  William  and  queen  Mary.  The  magistrates 
attempted  to  oppose  by  force  this  association  ;  but,  meeting 
with  few  supporters,  were  compelled  to  abdicate  the  go 
vernment. 

14.  King  William  directed  those  who  had -assumed  the 
supreme  authority  to  exercise  it  in  his  name  ;  and  for  twen 
ty-seven  years  the  crown  retained  the  entire  control  of  the 
province.  In  1716,  the  proprietor  was  restored  to  his  rights  ; 
and  he  and  his  decendents  continued  to  enjoy  them  until  the 
commencement  of  the  revolution.  TJie  people  then  as 
sumed  the  government,  adopted  a  constitution,  and  refused 
to  admit  the  claims  of  lord  Baltimore  to1  jurisdiction  or  pro- 
perty. 


CHAPTER  XE 
NORTH  CAROLINA. 

IN  1630,  Charles  Ii  granted  to  sir  Robert  Heath  all  tho 
territory  between  the  30th  and  36th  degrees  of  north  lati 
tude,  and  extending  from  the  Atlantic  ocean  to  the  South 
sea,  by  the  name  of  Carolina.  Under  this  grant,  no  settle 
ment  was  made.  Between  1640  and  1650,  persons  suffering 
from  religious  intolerance  in  Virginia,  fled  beyond  her  li 
mits,  and,  without  license  from  any  source,  occupied  that 
portion  of  North  Carolina,  north  of  Albernarle  sound.  They 
found  the  winters  rnild  and  the  soil  fertile.  As  their  cattlo 
and  swine  procured  their  own  support  in  the  woods,  and  mul 
tiplied  fast,  they  were  enabled,  with  little  labor,  to  live  in  the 
enjoyment  of  abundance.  Their  number  was  annually  aug 
mented  ;  they  acknowledged  no  superior  upon  earth,  and 
obeyed  no  laws  but  those  of  God  and  nature. 

2.  In  1661,  another  settlement  was  made,  near  the  mouth 
of  Clarendon  river,  by  adventurers  from  Massachusetts.    The 
land  being  sterile  and  the  Indians  hostile,  they,  in  1663, 
abandoned  it.     Immediately  afterwards,  their  place  was  sup 
plied  by  emigrants  from  Barbadoet,  who  invested  sir  John 
Yeomans  with  the  authority  of  governor. 

3.  Sir  Robert  Heath  having  neglected  to  comply  with 


NORTH  CAROLINA.  97 

the  conditions  of  his  patent,  the  king,  in  1663,  granted  the 
game  territory  to  lord  Clarendon  and  seven  others,  and 
invested  them  with  ample  powers  of  government  over  thoee 
who  should  inhabit  it.  To  encourage  emigration,  they 
gave  public  assurances,  that  all  who  might  remove  to  their 
territory,  should  enjoy  unrestricted  religious  liberty,  and  be 
governed  by  a  free  assembly.  The  settlers  on  Albemarle 
sound  were,  on  certain  conditions,  allowed  to  retain  their 
lands.  A  government  over  them  was  organized  at  the 
head  of  which  a  Mr.  Drurmnond  was  placed.  With  the 
regulations  imposed,  they  were  dissatisfied,  and  revolted  ;  but 
their  grievances  were  redressed,  and,  in  1G68,  they  returned 
to  their  duty. 

4.  At  the  request  of  the  proprietors,  the  celebrated  John 
Locke,  whose  political  writings  were  then  much  ;*ad  and 
admired,  prepared  for  the  colony  a  constitution  of  govern, 
raont.     It  provided  that  a  chief  officer,  to   be    called  the 
palatine,  and  to  hold  his  office  during  life,  should  be  elected 
from  among  the  proprietors ;  that  a  hereditary  nobility,   to 
be  called  landgraves  and  caziques,  should  be  created  ;  and 
that,  once  in  two  years,   representatives  should  be  chosen 
by  the  freeholders.     All  these,  with  the  proprietors  or  their 
deputies,  were  to  meet  in  one  assembly,  which  was  to  be 
called  the  parliament,  and  oveiv  which  the  palatine  was  to 
preside.     The  parliament  could  deliberate  and  decide  only 
upon  such  propositions  as  should  be  laid  before  it  by  a  grand 
council  composed  of  the  palatine,  nobility,  and  deputies  of 
the  proprietors. 

5.  This   constitution,    however   wise   it  might    seem   to 
English  politicians,  was  not  adapted  to. i the  sentiments  and 
habits  of  the  people  for  whom  it  was  prepared.     Its  aris 
tocratic  features  displeased   them.     The  measures  adopted 
to  introduce  and  enforce  it,  produced,  in  connection  with 
Vther  causes,  an  insurrection,  in  the  progress  of  which  the 
f/alatine  and  the  deputies  were  seized  and  imprisoned.     Ap 
plication  was  made  to  Virginia  for  assistance  in  restoring 
order ;  but  the  fear  of  punishment  induced  the  insurgents 
to  submit,  before  an  armed  force  could  be  arrayed  against 
them. 

6.  In  1,67,0,  William  Sayle,  under  the  direction^  of  the 
proprietors,  made  a  settlement    at  Port  Royal,  within  the 
limits  of  South  Carolina.     The  next  year,  dissatisfied  with 
this  station,  he  removed  his  colony  northward,  to  a  neck 
of  land  between  Ashley  and  Cooper  rivers,  where  he   laid 
out  a  town,  which,   in  honor  of  the  king  then  reigning, 

9 


98  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

he  called  Charleston.  Dying  soon  after,  sir  John  Yeom-affs, 
who  had,  for  several  years,  been  governor  at  Clarendon,  was 
appointed  to  succeed  him.  This  now  settlement  attracted  at 
first  many  inhabitants  from  that  at  Clarendon,  and  at  length7 
entirely  exhausted  it.  Being  remote  from  Albernarle,  the 
proprietors  established  a  separate  government  over  it,  and 
hence  arose  the  distinctive  appellations  of  North  and  South 
America. 

1.  The  prosperity  of  the  northern  colony  was  retarded  by 
domestic  dissensions.  To  allay  them,  Beth  Sothel,  one  of 
the  proprietors,  was  appointed  chief  magistrate.  His  com- 
duct,  far  from  restoring  quiet  and  contentment,  increased 
the  disorders  which  had  before  prevailed.  He  is  represented 
as  the  most  corrupt  and  rapacious  of  colonial  governors. 
He  plundered  the  inndeent  and  received  bribes  from 
felons.  For  six  years,  the  inhabitants  endured  his  injustice 
and  oppression.  They  then  seized  him,  with  a  view  of  send- 
ing  him  to  England  for  trial.  At  his  request,  he  was  de 
tained  and  tried  by  the  assembly,  who  banished  him  from  the 
colony. 

8.  His  successor  was  Philip  Ludwell,  of  Virginia,  and  to 
him  succeeded  John  Archdale,  who  was  a  Quaker  and  one 
of  the   proprietors.     Both  were   popular   governors;  under 
their  administration,  the  colony  prospered   and  the   people 
were  happy.   I  In  1693,  at  the  request  of  the  Carolinians,  the 
constitution  of  Locke  was  abrogated  by  the  proprietors,  and 
each  Colony  was  afterwards  ruled  by  a  governor,  council, 
and  house  of  representatives. 

9.  In  1707,  a  company  of  French  Protestants  arrived  and 
seated  themselves  on  the  river  Trent,  a  branch  of  the  Neuse  ; 
in  1710,  a  large  number  of  Palatines,  fleeing  from  religions 
persecution  in  Germany,  sought  refuge  in  the  same  part  of 
the  province.     To  each  of  these,  the  proprietors  granted  one 
hundred  acres  of  land.     They  lived  happy,  for  a  few  years, 
in  the  enjoyment  of  liberty  of  conscience,  and  in  the  pros- 
pect  of  competence  and  ease. 

10.  But  suddenly  a  terrible    calamity  fell    upon    them. 
The  Tuscarora  and  Coree  Indians,  smarting  under  recent 
injuries,  and  dreading  total  extinction  from  the  encroach-- 
ment    of    these     strangers,    plotted,    with     characteristic 
secrecy,   their  entire   destruction.      Sending  their  families 
to  one  of   their    fortified    towns,  twelve  hundred    bowmen 
sallied  forth,  and  in  the  same  night,  attacked,  in  separate 
parties,  the   nearest    settlements    of   the    Palatines.     Men, 
women,    and    children,    were    indiscriminately    butchered. 


NORTH  CAROLINA.  99 

The  savages,  with  the  swiftness  and  ferocity  of  wolves,  ran 
from  village  to  village.  Before  them,  was  the  repose  of  in- 
noc-ence  ;  behind,  the  sleep  of  death.  A  few,  escaping, 
alarmed  the  settlements  more  remote,  and  hastened  to  South 
Carolina  for  assistance. 

11.  Governor  Cravon  immediately  despatched  to  the  aid 
of  the  sister  colony,  nearly  a  thousand  men,  under  the  com 
mand  of  colonel  Barnwell.    After  a  fatiguing  march  through 
a  hideous  wilderness,  they  met  the  enemy,  attacked,  defeat 
ed,  and  pursued  them  to  their   fortified  town,  which  was 
immediately  besieged.     In  a  few  days,  peace,  at  their  soli- 
citation,  was  concluded,  and   colonel   Barnwell  returned  to 
South  Carolina. 

12.  The   peace  was   short,   and  upon   the   recommence 
ment  of  hostilities,  assistance  was  again  solicited  from  the 
southern  colony.     Colonel  James  Moore,  an  active  young 
officer,  was  immediately  despatched,  with  forty  white  men 
and  eight  hundred  friendly  Indians.     He  faurid  the  enemy 
in  a  fort  near  Cotechny  river.     After  a  siege^  which  conti 
nued  more  than  a  week,  tho  fort  was  taken  and  eight  hun 
dred    Indians   made    prisoners.     The   Tuscaroras,   disheart 
ened  by  this  defeat,  migrated,  in  1713,  to  the   north,  nnd 
joined  the   celebrated   confederacy,   denominated  the    Five 
Nations.     The  others  sued  for  peace,  and  afterwards  conti 
nued  friendly. 

13.  Until   1729,   the  two  Carolinas,  though   distinct  for 
many   purposes,   remained   under   the   superintendence   and 
control  of  the   same  proprietors.     Neither   had   been   pros 
perous ;  and   the   interests  of  the  governors  and   governed 
being  apparently  adverse   to  each  other,  1he   latter  became 
discontented  and  refractory.     They  complained  to  the  king, 
who  directed  inquiry  to  be  made  in  his  courts.     The  charter 
which  he  had  granted  was  declared  forfeited,  and  over  each 
colony,  royal  governments,  entirely  unconnected  with  each 
other,  were  established. 

14.  Soon  after  this  event,  the  sail  in  the  interior  of  North 
Carolina  was  found  to  be  superior  in  fertility  to  that  on  the 
sea-coast.     The  settlements,  consequently,  advanced  rapidly 
into  the  wilderness.     From  the  northern  colonies,  particu 
larly  Pennsylvania,  multitudes  were   allured  to  this  region 
by  the  mildness  of  the  climate,  and  by  the  facility  of  obtain, 
ing  in  abundance  all  the  necessaries  of  life.     At  peace  with 
the  Indians,  and  fortunate  in  her  governors,  the  colony  con 
tinued  to  prosper  until  the  commencement  of  the  troubles 
which  preceded  the  revolution. 


100 

CHAPTER  XII. 
SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

THIS  colony,  and  that  of  North  Carolina  were,  as  has  al 
ready  been  stated,  included  in  the  same  charter,  'in  1670, 
governor  Sayle  made,  at  Port  Royal,  the  first  permanent  set- 
tlement  within  its  limits.  The  next  year,  he  founded  Old 
Charleston,  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Ashley.  In  1684,  all 
the  freemen,  meeting  at  this  place,  elected  representatives  to 
sit  in  the  colonial  parliament,  according  to  the  provisions  of 
the  constitution  prepared  by  Mr.  Locke. 

2.  Several  circumstances  contributed  to  promote  the  set- 
tlement  of  this  colony.    The  conquest  of  New  York  induced 
many  of  the  Dutch  to  resort  to  it.     From  'England,  puritans 
came  to  avoid  the  profanity  and  licentiousness  which  dis 
graced  the  court  of -Charles   M. ;  and  cavaliers   to  retrieve 
their  fortunes,  exhausted  by  the  civil  wars.     The  arbitrary 
measures  of  Louis  XIV.  drove  many  French  Protestants  into 
exile,  some   of  whom   crossed  the   Af-lantie  and  settled  in 

'Carolina.  Many  of  these  exiles  were  rich  ;  all  were  indus 
trious,  and  by  their  exemplary  demeanor  gained  the  good 
will  of  the  proprietors. 

3.  The  situation  of  Charleston  being  found  inconvenient, 
the  inhabitants,  in  1680,  removed  to  Oyster  Point,  where  a 
new  city  was  laid  out,  to  which  the  name  of  the  other  was 
given.      In   the   same   year,   commenced    a  war  with   the 
Westoes,  a  powerful  tribe  of 'Indians,  which  threatened  great 
injury  to  the  colony.     Peace,  however,  was  soon  restored. 
In   1690,   Seth   Sothel,  one  of  the   proprietors,  having,  for 
corrupt  conduct,  been  driven  from  North  ^Carolina,  appeared 
suddenly  at  Charleston,  and,  aided   by  a  powerful  faction, 
assumed  the  reins  of  government.    Two  years  afterwards  h& 
was  removed  from  office. 

4.  The  proprietors,  having  observed  the  good  conduct  of 
the  French  Protestants,  directed  the  governor  to  permit  them 
to  elect  representatives,  a  privilege  which  they  had  never 
yet  exercised.     The  English   Episcopalians,  unwilling  thai 
any  of  their  hereditary  enemies,  who  did  not  belong  to  their 
church,  should  be  associated  with  themselves  in  the  enjoy 
inent  of  the  rights  of  freemen,  were   exasperated,  and  op 
posed  the  concession  with  great  clamor  and  zeal.     They 
even  Went  further.  #  Warmed  by  opposition,' they  proposed 
to  enforce,   with   respect  to   them,  the   lavVs  of  England 


SOUTH  CAROLINA.  101 

against  foreigners,  insisting  that  they  sor.ld  AOt  legally 
possess  real  citati  li~A  the  coioriy.  They  also  declared  that 
their  marriages,  being  solemnized  by  French  ministers,  were 
void,  and  that  the  children  could  not  inherit  the  property 
of  their  fatness.  By  ti.  display  of  a  spirit  so  illiberal  and 
unchristian,  these  strangers  vvev,o  alarmed  and  discouraged. 
They  knew  not  for  whom  LMoy.J  iaboim1,,  But,  .eoriivte- 
nanced  by  the  governor,  they  re;.n.li  ae(.i>  in,  Uie  colony, 'avid, 
for  the  present,  withdrew  thiik-  cjahu  to  the  right  of  suf 
frage.  ,  -••'',. 

5.  Yet  the  ferment  did  not  subside1  on  the  removal  of  the 
cause  which  produced  it.  Such  was  the  general  turbulence 
and  disorder,' the  people  complaining  of  their  rulers  aiid 
quarrelling  among  themselves,  that,  in  1695,  John  Archdale 
was  sent  over,  as  governor  of  both  Carolinas,  and  invested 
with  full  power  to  redress  all  grievances.  He  succeeded 
in  restoring  order,  but  found  the  antipathy  against  the 
unfortunate  exiles  too  great  to  be  encountered,  with  any 
hope  of  success,  until  softened  by  time  and  their  amiable 
deportment.  These  produced  the  eifects  which  he  anti- 
cip  ited.  In  a  few  years,  the  French  protestants  were 
admitted,  by  the  general  assembly,  to  all  the  rights  of  citi 
zens  and  freemen. 

(>.  Although  the  proprietors,  by  the  regulations  which 
were  in  force  before  the  constitution  of  Locke  was  adopted, 
and  which  were  restored  upon  its  abrogation,  had  stipulated, 
that  liberty  of  conscience  should  be  universally  enjoyed  ;  yet 
one  of  them,  lord  Granville,  a  bigoted  churchman,  and 
James  Moore,  the  governor,  resolved  to  effi-ct,  if  possible, 
the  establishment,  in  the  colony,  of  the  episcopal  religion. 
They  knew  that  a  majority  of  the  people  were  dissenters, 
and  that  by  art  and  intrigue  only,  could  their  design  be 
accomplished.  The  governor,  who  was  avaricious  and 
venal,  became  the  tool  of  Granville.  He  interfered  in  the 
elections,  and,  by  bribing  the  voters,  succeeded  in  procuring 
a  majority  in  the  assembly  who  would  be  subs  -•  vient  to  his 
wishes. 

7.  A  law  was  passed,  establishing  the  episcopal  religion, 
and  excluding  dissenters  from  a  seat  in  the  assembly.  It 
was  Lad  before  the  proprietors,  without  whose  sanction  it 
could  not  possess  permanent  validity.  Archdale,  who  had 
returned  to  England,  opposed  it  with  ability  and  spirit.  He 
insisted  that  good  faith,  policy,  interest,  even  piety,  concurred 
to  dictate  its  rejection.  But  lord  Granville  declared  himself 
in  favor  of  it,  and  it  received  confirmation. 
9* 


102  SOUTH  CAROLINA 

8.  The    dissenters  saw  themselves  at   once  depn. 
those  privileges  for  which  they  had  abandoned  their  native 
country,   and    encountered    the   dangers   and    hardships    of 
the  ocean  and  a  wilderness.     Some  prepared  to  leave  the 
colony  arid  settle  in   Pennsylvania.     Others  proposed  that 
&  -remonstrance;   against   the   law  should   first  be  presented 
to'the  house  of  lord's,.-. ind  this  measure  was  adopted.     The 
lords  expressed  by  a  vote  their  disapprobation  of  the  law, 
p.n-J/apcri  their  solici4atian,  queen   Anne  declared  it  void. 
Sooii  a'flei,  lord  Urariville  died,  and  the  colony,  controlled 
6y  more  liberal   councils,   again   enjoyed   the    blessings  ol 
domestic  quiet. 

9.  In  1702,  war  then  existing  between  England  and  Spain, 
governor  Moore,  thirsting  for  Spanish  plunder,  led  an  expe 
dition  against  St.  Augustine.     It  was  badly  planned,  worse 
executed,  and  failed.    Returning  from  defeat  abroad,  he  met, 
at  home,  the  reproaches  of  his  people.     To  silence  these,  he 
marched,  at,  the  head  of  a  body  of  troops,  against  the  Apa- 
lachian  Indians,  who  had  become  insolent  and  hostile.     In 
this  expedition  he  was  successful,  taking  many  prisoners, 
and  laying  their  towns  in  ashes.     By  his  victories  over  the 
savages,  he  retrieved  his  character  ;  and,  by  selling  the  pri 
soners  as  slaves,  obtained,  what  he  most  coveted,  considerable 
personal  emolument. 

10.  In  1706,  the  Spaniards,  from  Florida,  invaded  Caro 
lina.     The   governor,   Nathaniel  Johnson,  having  received 
intimation    of   their    approach,    erected    fortifications    and 
made  arrangements  to  obtain,  9/1  short  warning,  the  assist, 
ance    of  the    militia.     When    the    enemy's   -fleet   appeared 
before  Charleston,  the   whole   strength   of  the  colony  was 
summoned  to  defend  it.     A  force  so  formidable  ensured  its 
safety.     After  burning  a  few  detached  buildings,  the  enemy 
retired    without    inflicting    other    injury.      One    of    their 
ships,   having  ninety  men   on  board,  was   captured  by  the 
Carolinians. 

11.  In    1715,  after  several  years  of  profound   peace,  an 
Indian  war  broke  out.     All  the  tribes,  from   Florida  to  cape 
Fear,  had  boen  long  engaged  in  a  conspiracy  to  extirpate 
the  whites.     In  the  morning  of  the  15th  of  April,  the  first 
blow  \v.is  struck.    At  Poc  italigo,  and  the  settlements  around 
Port  Royal,  ninety  persons  were  massacred.     The  inhabi 
tants  of  the  latter  pkco  escaped,  'by  embarking  precipitately 
on  'board  a  vessel,  which  was  tliefn  in  the  harbor,  arid  sailing 
dilectly  to  'Charleston. 

12.  This   massacre  was  perpetnited  by  the  southern  In- 


sown  CAROLINA.  id& 

dians.  The  northern,  at  the  same  time,  attacked  the  settle 
ments  near  them.  Many  of  the  inhabitants  were  killed,  and 
many  fled  to  Charleston.  At  a  plantation  on  Goose  creek, 
seventy  whites  and  forty  faithful  negroes,  being  protected  hy 
a  breast-work,  determined  to  maintain  their  post.  On  tho 
first  attack,  their  courage  failed,  and  they  agreed  to  surren* 
der.  Tiie  instant  they  were  in  the  power  of  the  efticmy,  all 
were  barbarously  murdered. 

13.  Governor  Craven,   at  the    head   of  twelve    litmdrecl 
men,  marched  against  the  salvages.     He  discovered  in  tho 
wilderness  several  small  parties,  who  fled  before  him.     &t 
Saltcatchers,   he  found  them  all  assembled,  and   there   an 
obstinate  and  bioody  battle  was  /found*     The  whiles  ¥/oro 
victorious,  driving  the  enemy  before 'them,  and  compelling 
them  to  leave  the  province,     ftlost'of  them  fled  to  Florida, 
where  they  were  received,  in  the  most  friendly  manner,  by 
the  Spaniards. 

14.  In  tiiis  shOrt  war,  four  hundred  whites  were  killed, 
property   of  great  value  destroyed,   and   a   large   debt  ccm- 
tracted.    The  proprietors,  though  earnestly  .solicited,  refused 
to  afford  any  roiiof,  or  to  pay  any  portion  of  the  dubt.     TliP 
assembly  determined  to  remunerate  the  colony,  bydispc-iiij:; 
of  the  land  from  which  the  'Ihcli  ins  had  been  driven.     Tho 
terms  offered  were  so  favorable,  that  five  hundred  'Irishmen 
immediately   came    over,    and   planted  ''themselves    on   the 
frontiers. 

15.  The  proprietors,  refusing  to  satictio&  'the  proceedings 
of  the  assembly,  deprived  these   e infants  of  their  lands. 
Some,   reduced   to  extreme   poverty,  [perished   from   want ; 
others  resorted  to  the  northern  toionics.     A  strong  barrier 
between  the  old  settlements  aiftd  the  savages,  was  thus  re 
moved,  and  the  country  agrfin  exposed  to  their  incursions. 
The   people  were  exasperated,  and  longed  for  a  change  of 
masters. 

16.  The  corrupt   and  ^oppressive  conduct  of  T^ofct,  tho 
chief-justice,  and  Tihett,  the  receiver-general,  increased  the 
discontent.     Of  the  former,  the  governor  and  council  coin- 
plained  to  the  proprietors,  and  solicited  his  recall.     Instead 
of  removing   him,  they  thanked   him   for   his  services,  ami 
removed  the  governor  arfd  council.    With  the  'governor  next 
appointed,  though  a  man   generally  beloved,  the   assembler 
refused  to  have  any  concern  or  intercourse.     They  drew  up 
articles  of  impeachment  against  Trott,  accusing  him  of  coK 
*tiption  ai  -1  gross  misconduct,  and  sent  an  agent  to  Eng^aM&p 


104  SOUTH  CAROLINA, 

to  maintain  their- accusation  before  the  proprietors.    He  wag, 
jiev-Ttheless,  continued  in  office. 

17.  The  patience  of  the  people  was  exhausted,  and  they 
V/<.it<id  only  for  a  favorable  opportunity  to  throw  oif  their 
'c^i-essive  yoke.  In  1719,  at  a  general  review  of  the  militia 
3JL  Charleston,  occasioned  by  a  threatened  invasion  of  the 
Colony,  from  Florida,  the  officers  and  soldiers  bound  them. 
pelves,  by  a  solemn  compact,  to  support  each  other  in  resist- 
i,ng  tij-j  tyranny  of  the  proprietors  ;  and  the  assembly,  which 
\v;iK  then  in  session,  requested  the  governor,  by  a  respectful 
gtd(ii;'ess.,  to,  consent  to  administer  the  government  in  the 
i^ame  of  the  kmg. 

$8.  He  ifeiused,  and  by  proclamation,  dissolved  the  as- 
gernbjy.  The  members  immediately  met  as  a  convention, 
aiid  elcoted  colonel  James  Moore  their  governor.  He  was 
a  'bold  man,  and  exceedingly  vyel]  qualified  for  a  popular 
leader,  in  a  turbulent  season.  lie  accepted  the  appointment, 
and,  assisted  by  the  convention,  and  supported  by  the  people, 
administered  the  affairs  of  the  colony. 

19.  The  conduct  of  the  proprietors  and  people  was  brought 
before,  his  majesty  in  council.  After  a  full  hearing,  it  was 
^ecidecl,  that  both  colonies  should  be  taken  uu/der  the  pro^ 
tection  of  the  crown.  Several  years  afterwards,  seven  of 
the  proprietors  sold  to  the  king  their  claim  to  the  soil  and 
jjents,  and  all  assigned  to  him  their  right  of  jurisdiction. 
The  government  was  subsequently  administered  by  execu 
tive  officers,  appointed  by  the  crown,  and  by  assemblies, 
Chosen  by  the  people,  arid  under  their  control  the  colony 
prospered, 

$),  In  1738,  occurred  an  alarming  insurrection  of  the  ne 
groes.  A  number  of  them,  assembled  at  Stono,  surprised 
and  killed  two  men  who  had  charge  of  a  warehouse,  from 
which  they  took  gups  and  ammunition.  They  then  chose  a 
Captain,  sjid,  with  drums  beating  and  colors  flying,  marched 
south  westward.  They  burned  every  house  on  their  way, 
killed  all  the  whites  they  could  find,  and  compelled  other 
negroes  to  join  them. 

21-  Governor  BylL,  who  was  returning  to  Charleston, 
from  the  southward,  acci,dentaHy  met  them,  hastened  out  of 
their  way,  and  spread  an  alarm.  The  news  soon  reached 
Wiltown,  where,  fortunately,  a  large  congregation  were 
attending  divine  service.  The  men,  having,  according  to 
a  law  of  the  province,  brought  their  arms  to  the  place 
of  worship,  marched  instantly  in  quest  of  the  negroes,  who, 


GEORGIA.  105 

by  this  time,  fead  become  formidable,  and  spread  terror  and 
desolation  aroimd  them. 

22.  Whila,  in   an   oj)en   field,  they  were  carousing   and 
dancing,  with  tnmtic  exultation  at  their  late  success,  they 
were  suddenly  attacked   by  the  whites.  (  Some  were  killed, 
the  remainder  rl  jd.     iVlost  of  tlie  fugitives  were  taken  and 
tried.     They   who    had    been    compelled    to  join    the    con* 
spirators.    were    pardoned ;    bfet    all    the    leaders    and    -first 
insurgents  suffered  death.     About  twenty  whiles  were  mur 
dered. 

23.  'From  this  period  until  the  era  of  the  revolution,  no 
important  event  occurred  in  the  coltJUy.     It  was  sometimes 
distressed   by  :Indiun  wars ;  but  the  number  of  inhabitants, 
and  the  means  of  subsistence  and  conifo'rt,  were  constantly 
increasing.     Emigrant:;;  came  principally  from  the  north  srfc 
colonies-;  but  often  lii'rge  bodies  of  protestants  arrived  from 
Europe  ;  in  one  year,  1752,  "the  number  who  came  exceeded 
sixteen  hundred. 


'CHAPTER  Xltl. 
GEORGIA. 

UrdN  'the  southern  'part  of  the  territory  included  in  the 
Carolina  charter,  no  settlement  was  made,  until  several 
years  after  that  charter  was  forfeited.  In  June,  1732,  so- 
yeral  benevolent  gentlemen,  in  England,  concerted  a  project 
for  planting  a  colony  in  that  unoccupied  region.  Theft 
principal  object  was  to  relieve,  by  transporting  thither,  thfe 
indigent  subjects  of  Great  Britain ;  but  their  plan  of  bene 
volence  embraced  afoo  the  'persecuted  protesta&ts  Off  at! 
nations. 

£.  £"0  a  project  springing  from  motives  so  noble  arid  dis* 
interested,  the  people  and  the  government  extended  thei'f 
•encouragement  and  patronage.  A  patent  was  granted  by 
the  king,  conveying  to  twenty-one  trustees  the  'territory  now 
constituting  the  state  of  GEORGIA,  which  was  to  be  appor 
tioned  gratuitously  a.mong  the  settlers  ;  and  liberal  donation^ 
were  made  by  the  charitable,  to  defray  the  expense  of  trans, 
porting  them  across  the  Atlantic,  and  of  providing  for  their 
support  the  first  season. 

3.  The  concerns  of  the  colony  Were  managed  by  the  tru*. 
tees,  who  freely  devoted  much  of  ; their  time  to  the  -undo*- 


106  GEORGIA. 

taking.  Among  other  regulations,  they  provided,  that  the* 
lands  should  not  be  sold  nor  devised  by  the  owners,  but 
should  descend  to  the  mule  children  only  ;  they  forbade  the 
use  of  ruin  in  the  colony,  and  stnctly  prohibited  the  importa 
tion  of  negroes.  But  none  of  these  regulations  remained 
Jong  in  force. 

4.  In   November,  1732,  one  hundred   and   thirteen  erni- 
grants  embarked  for  Georgia,  at  the  head  of  whom  the  trus 
tees   had   placed   James   Oglethorpe,    a   zealous   and   active 
promote?  of  this  scheme  of  benevolence.     In  January,  they 
urrivod  at  Charleston  ;  and  the  Carolinians,  sensible  of  the. 
advantage  of  having  a  barrier  between  them  and  the  Indians, 
gave  the   adventurers   a  cordial   welcome.     They   supplied 
them  with  provisions,  and  with  boats  to  convey  them  to  the 
pi  ice   of  their   destination.     Yamacraw  bluff,   since   called 
pavannah,  was  selected  as  the  most  eligible  place  for  a  set- 
tlement. 

5.  The  next  year,  five  or  six  hundred  poor  persons  arrived, 
and  to  eacii  a  portion  -of  the  wilderness  was  assigned.     But 
it  was  soon  found  that  these  emigrants,  who  were  the  refusa 
of  cities,  had  been  rendered  poor  by  idleness,  and  irresolute 
by    -poverty,  were   not   fitted   to   fell    the   mighty   groves   of 
Georgia.     A  race  more  hardy  and  enterprising  was  neces. 
sary.     The  trustees,  therefore,  offered  to  receive,  also,  such 
#s  had  not,  by-  pprse cation  or  poverty,  been  rendered  objects 
*>f  compassion,  and  to.  grant  to  all,  who  should  settle  in  the 
colony-,  fifty  acres  of  land.     In  consequence  of  this  offer, 
more  than  four  hundred  persons,  from  Germany,  Scotland, 
and   Switzerland,  arrived  in  the  year  1735.     The  Germans 
settled   at   Ebenezer,  the    Scotch   at  New   Inverness,  now 
Dai-ion. 

6.  In   1736,  John  Wesley,  a  celebrated  methodist,  made 
ti  visit  to  Georgia,  ft>.r  the  purpose  of  preaching  to  the  colo- 
pfcts,    and   converting  the    Indians.     He   was  then  young 
and   virdont  ;    the  people  around    him  felt    less  ardor  than 
himself,  and   his  pious  zeal  soon  brought  him  into  collision 
with  some   of  the  principal    settlers.     He   was  accused  o, 
diverting    the    people   from   their    labor    to  attend   his  reli. 
gious.  meetings,    and    of  exercising  unwarranted  ecclesias 
tical    authority.     Persecuted    by   his    enemies,    and   finding 
he  could  render  no  further  service,  tp  the  cause  of  religion 
in  the  colony,  he  returned  to  England,  and  there,  for  many 
years,  pursued  a   distinguished  career-  of  piety  and   useful- 
$iess. 

7.  Two    years    afterwi-1*     George   Whitfield.    another 


GEORGIA.  157 

and  more  celebrated  Methodist  arrived  in  'tlie  colony.  He 
had  already  made  himself  conspicuous  in  England,  by  his 
numerous  eccentricities,  his  ardent  piety,  his  extraordinary 
eloquence,  his  zeal  arid  activity  in  propagating  his  opinions 
He  came  to  Georgia  for  the  benevolent  purpose  of  establish 
ing  an  orphan  house,  where  poor  children  might  be  t'.jd, 
clothed,  and  educated  in  the  knowledge  of  Christianity;  In 
prosecution  of  this  purpose,  he  often  crossed  the  Ath.nt.ic, 
and  traversed  Great  Britain  and  America,  soliciting  aid  front 
the  pious  and  charitable.  Wherever  he  went,  he  pfoached, 
with  sincerity  and  fervor,  his  peculiar  doctrine*,  making 
proselytes  of  most  who  heard  him,  and  founding  a  sect,  which 
has  since  become  numerous  and  respectable.  His  orphan 
house,  during  his  life,  did  not  flourish,  and  after  his  death 
was  entirely  abandoned. 

8.  In  1740,  the  trustees  rendered  an  account   of  their  ad 
ministration.     At  that  time, -two  thousand  four  hundred  and 
ninety-eight  emigrants  had  arrived  in  the  colony./    Of  these, 
fifteen  hundred  and  twenty-one  were  indigent   Englishmen, 
or  persecuted  Protestants.     The  benefactions,  from  govern* 
ment  and  from  individuals,  had  been  nearly  half  a  mllron  of 
dollars ;,  arid  it  was   computed  that,  for  every  person  trans 
ported  arid  maintained  by  the  trustees,  more  than  three  hun 
dred  dollars  had  been  expended. 

9.  The  hope  which  the  trustees  bad  cherished,  that  the 
colony,  planted  at  such  vast  expense1,  would  be  prosperous, 
and  the  objects  of  their  benevoleaice  happy,  were  Completely 
disappointed.     Such  was  the  character  of  the  greater  part  of 
the. settlers,  and  such  the  restrictions  imposed,  that  the  plan 
tations  languished  and  continued  to  require  tlie  contribuiions- 
of  the  charitable. 

10.  War  having  been  declared   against  &pasrt,  Mr'.  OgT^-- 
thorpe  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  general  in  the  British 
•army,  and  at  the  head  of  two  thousand  me»,  partly  from  Vir 
ginia  and  the  'Cafolinas,  undertook   an   cxpeditiota   against 
Florida.     He  took  two  Spanish  poi'ts  and  besieged'  St.  Au 
gustine  ;  but  encountering  an  obstinate  Fesistane'e,  was  com 
pelled  to  re  tarn  unsuccessful  to1  Geetfgk. 

11.  Two  years,  afterwards,  the  Spaniards,  m   retaliation, 
prepared  t&  invade  Georgia ;  and  they  intended,  if  success 
ful  there,  to  subjugate  the  Carolina?  and  Virginia.     On  re 
ceiving  information  of  their   approach,  general  Ogiethorrvo' 
sdicked  assistance  from  South  'Carolina.     But  the   inhab 
itants  of  that  colony,  entertaining  a  strong  prejudice  against 
him,  k*  consequence  of  his  late  defeat,  and  terri&erd  by-thu 


1&>  (SEORGM. 

danger  which  threatened  themselves,  determined  to  providfc 
only  for  their  own  safety,. 

12.  Meanwhile  general  Oglethorpe  made  preparations 
for  a  vigorous  defence.  lie  assembled  seven  hundred 
men  exclusive  of  a  body  o£  Indians,  fixed  his  head  quar 
ters  at  Frederica,  on  the  island  of  St.  Simon,  tind,  with  this 
email  hand,  determined  to  encounter  whatever  farce  might 
be  brought  against  him.  It  was  his  utmost  hope  that  he 
might  be  able  to  resist  the  enemy  until  a  reinforcement 
should  arrive  from  Carolina,  which. he  daily  and  anxiously 
expected. 

V'j,  On  the  last  of  Juno,  the  Spanish  fleet,  consisting  of 
thirty-two*  sail,  and  having  on  board  more  than  three  thou 
sand  men,  came  to  anchor  off  St.  Simon's  bar.  Notwith 
standing  all  the  resistance  which  general  Oglethorpe  could 
oppose,  t-hey  soiled  up  the  river  Alatarnaha,  landed,  upon  tho 
island,  and  there  erected  fortifications. 

14.  General  Oglethorpe,  convinced  that  his  small  force,  if 
divided,  must  be  entirely  inefficient,  assembled  the  whole  of 
it  at  Frederica.     One  portion  he  employed  in  strengthening 
his   fortifications ;,   the   Highlanders   and   Indiana  ranging 
night  and  day  thr-ORgh   the  woods,  often  attacked  the   out 
posts  of  tho  enemy/     The  toil   of  the  troops  was  incessant ; 
and  tho  long  delay  of  the  expected  succors,  so  cruelly,  with* 
ncld  by  South  Carolina,  caused  tho  most  gloomy  andidepree- 
.si/itr  apprehensions. 

15.  Learning  that  the  Spanish  army  occupied  two  distinct 
positions,  Oglethorpe  conceived  tho  project  of  attacking  one 
by  surprise.     He  selected  the  bravest  of  his  little  army,  and  in 
the  night  marched,  entirely  unobserved,  to  within  two  .miles 
of  tho  camp  which  he  intended  to  assail.  Directing  his  troop» 
to  halt,  he  advanced*  at  the  l&ead  of  a  small  body,  to  recon 
noitre  the   enc?^:..    While  thus  employed,  a  French  soldier 
of  his   party,  nrjjig*  his  musket,  deserted  to  the  Spaniards. 
Discovery  destroying  all  hope  of  success,  the  general  imme 
diately  returned  to.  Ifrederica.     He  was  not  only  chagrined 
at  this  occurrence,  but  apprehended  instant  danger  from  the 
disclosure  which  the  deserter,  would  doubtless  make  of  his 
Weakness. 

1,6,  In  this  embarrassment,  he  devised  an  expedient  which 
was  attended  with  tho  mosfe  ha.ppy  success.  He  wrote  a  let 
ter  to.  the  deserter,  instructing,  htrn  to  acquaint  the  Spa 
niards  with  the  defenceless  i$ate  of  Frederica  ;  to  urge  them 
to  attack  the  place,  and  if  hp  could  not  succeed,  to  persuade 
iheru, to, remain  three  days*,  longer  on  the  island;  for 


1754.]  GEORGIA,  109 

that  time,  according  to  late  advices  from  Carolina,  he  should 
receive  a  reinforcement  of  two  thousand  men  and  Fix  ships 
of  war.  He  cautioned  him  against  dropping  any  hint  of  the 
attack,  meditated  by  a.dmiral  Vernon,  upon  St.  Augustine, 
and  assured  him  that  the  reward  for  his  services  should  be 
ample. 

17.  For  a  small  bribe,  a  soldier  who  had  been  made  pri 
soner  in  one  of  the  numerous  skirmishes,  engaged  to  deliver 
this  letter  to  the  deserter,  and  w.is  then  s»;t  at  liberty.     As 
was  foreseen,  he  carried  it  directly  to  the  Spanish  general, 
who  immefiiately  suspected  the  deserter  to  be  a  spy  from  the 
English  camp,  and  ordered  him  to  be 'put  in  irons.     But  al 
though   his  suspicions  were  awakened,  he  was  yet  uncer 
tain  whether  the  whole  might  not  be  a  stratagem  of  his  an 
tagonist. 

18.  While  hesitating  what  to  believe,  three  small  vessels 
«f  war  appeared  oft*  the  coast.     Supposing  they  brought  the 
reinforcements  alluded  to  in  the  letter  to  the  deserter,  he  he 
sitated  no  longer,  but  determined  to  make  a  vigorous  attack 
upon  the  English,  before  these  reinforcements  could  arrive 
and  be  brought  into  action. 

19.  General  Oglethorpc,  by  mero  accident,  obtained  infor 
mation  of  their  design.     A  small   party  was  instantly  placed 
iu  ambuscade ;  the  Spaniards  advanced  near  them,  halted  t.o 
rost,  and  laid  asid:  their  arms.     A  sudden  and  well  directed 
fire,  killing  many,  threw  th?>  enemy  into  confusion.     After 
a  f?w  more  discharges,  th:-v  fled  to  thoir  for  till  cations,  which 
they  demolished,  and  hastily  embarking,  made  every  possible 
effort  to  escape  from  the  reinforcements  that  were  supposed 
to  be  approaching, 

20.  Thus  was  GeorgJA,  with   trifling  lor-s,  delivered  from 
tho  most  imminent  danger.     General  Qglethorpe  not  only 
retrieved,  but  exalted  his  reputation.     From  .the  Carolinians, 
grateful  for  their   preservation,  and  from   the   governors  of 
most,  of  the  northern  colonies,  he  received  cordial  congratu 
lations  upon  his  address  and  good  fortune.     And  so  mortified 
were  the  Spaniards  ;it  the  result  of  the  expedition,  that  the 
command?-.*,  on  his  return,  was  arrested,  tried,  and  cashiered 
for  misconduct.  i 

21.  But  the  prosperity  of  the  colony  was  retarded  by  those 
disturbances.     For  ten  }'ears  longer,  it  remained  under  the 
management  of  the  trustees,  who,  embarrassing  it   by  too 
much  regulation,  discouraged  the  emigrants  and  checked  its 
growth.     At  length,  disappointed  in  their  hopes,  and  wea»  led 
by  complaints,  they  surrendered  their  charter  to  the  crov  n; 

10 


110  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1754-63.  [1754, 

and,  in  1754,  a  royal  government  was  established  «>ver  the 
colony. 

22.  New  regulations  being  adopted,  Georgia  began  to 
flourish.  Among  her  governors,  James  Wright  deserves  ho 
norable  notice  for  his  wisdom  in  discerning,  and  his  zeal  in 
pursuing,  her  true  interests.  The  cultivation  of  riee  and 
indigo  was  prosecuted  with  augmented  industry,  skill, 
and  profit;  and  in  every  succeeding  year,  an  increased 
amount  of  these  staple  commodities  was  exported  to  the 
mother  country.  The  Florida  Indians  were  sometimes 
troublesome,  but  were  as  often  chastised  and  compelled  to 
sue  for  peace. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 
FRENCH  WAR  OF  1754-63. 

THE  treaty  of  Aix  la  Chapelle  concluded  in  1748,  between 
England  and  France,  restored  tranquillity  to  America.  At 
this  period  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  thirteen  colonies 
was  about  one  million  one  hundred  thousand.  The  English 
settlements  had  not  advanced  tar  into  the  wilderness,  but 
extended  along  the  ocean  from  Newfoundland  to  Florida. 
Those  of  the  French  at  the  north,  reached  from  the  mouth 
of  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Montreal ;  and  they  had  built  forts 
and  trading  houses  on  lake  Ontario.  At  the  south,  they  had 
planted  New  Orleans,  and  having  discovered  the  river  Mis 
sissippi,  they  claimed  the  fertile  and  delightful  valley  through 
which  it  runs,  and  the  whole  country  watered  bv  its  tribu 
tary  streams. 

2.  They  at  length  determined  to  connect  their  northern 
and  southern  settlements  by  a  chain  of  posts  extending  along 
the   frontiers   of   the    English,  from    lake    Ontario   to  the 
Ohio,  and  down  that    river    and    the    Mississippi  to  New 
Orleans.     While  they  were  intent  on  this  project,  a  com 
pany  of  English  traders,  having  obtained  from  the  king  a 
grant  of  land,  established  trading  houses  on  the  banks  of 
the  Ohio. 

3.  The  French  seized  some  of  these  traders,  and  conveyed 
them  prisoners  to  Canada.     The   company  complained  to 
governor  Dinwiddic,  of  Virginia.     The   land   having  been 
granted  as  a  part  of  that  colony,  he  determined  to  send  a 
messenger  to  the  commander  of  the  French  forces  on  the 


1754.3  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1754—63.  Ill 

Ohio,  and  require  him  to  withdraw  his  troops.  For  this  mis 
sion  he  selected  George  Washington,  who  was  then  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  and  who  afterwards  became  illustrious  in 
the  annals  of  his  country. 

4.  To  the  letter  of  B-inwiddie,  the  French  commander  re 
plied,  that  he  had  taken  possession  of  the  country  in  pursu 
ance  of  directions  from  his  genera],  then  in  Canada,  to  whom 
he  would  transmit  the  letter,  and  whose  orders  he  should  im 
plicitly  obey,  j  This  reply  not  being  satisfactory  to  the  go 
vernor,  prepar&tiGns  were  made  in  Virginia,  to  maintain  by 
force  the  rights  of  the  British  crown.     Troops,  constituting 
a  regiment,  were  raised,  the   command  of  whom,  on  the 
death    of   the    colonel    first    appointed,  was   given  to  Mr. 
Washington* 

5.  At  the  head  of  about  four  hundred  men,  !ie  advanced, 
early  in  the  spring,  into  the  territory  in  dispute.     On  his 
route,  he  met,  attacked,  and  defeated,  a  French  party  under 
the  command  of  one  Dijonvllle,  who  approached  him  in  a 
manner  indicating  hostile  intentions..    He  proceeded  towards 
fort  Du  Quesne,  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  Alleghany 
and  Monoiigahela.     From  this  fort,  De  Villier,  at  the  head 
of  nine  hundred  men,  marched  out  to  attack  him. 

6.  Healing    <sf    the    approach    of    this    party,    colonel 
Washington    halted,  and    hastily    erected    some    Imperfect 
works,  by  means  of  which  he  hoped  to  prolong  his  defence 
until    the    arrival    of   reinforcements.      He    was    closely 
fcesieged  by  De  Villier,  but  making  an  -obstinate   defence, 
was    offered    the    most    honorable    terms    ©f  capitulation. 
These  he    accepted,  aad    returned    with    his    regiment  to 
Virginia. 

7.  In  this  3rear,  .delegates  from  seven  of  the  colonies  met 
at  Albany,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  a  conference  with  the 
JSix  Nations  of  Indians.  This  business  being  finished,  a  con 
federation  of  the  colonies  was  proposed  by  the  delegates  from 
Massachusetts.     A  "  Plan  of  Union"  was  agreed  upon,  to  be 
•submitted  to  the  colonial  legislatures,  and  to  parliament,  for 
their  adoption. 

8.  This  plan  provided  that  delegates  to  a  General  Council 
.-should  foe  chosen  by  the  representatives  of  the  people,  in  the 
colonial  assemblies,  and  that  a  president-general  should  be 
appointed  by  the  crown.     This  council  was  to  possess  the 
•control  of  the  military  force   of  the  confederacy,  and  the 
power  to  concert  all   measures  for  the   common  protection 
and  safety.     The  presidenttgeneral  was  to  hasre  a  negative 
<upen  the  jWGeeeddngs  'jffif  the  Delegates. 


112  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1754— 63.  L1754. 

9.  This  plan  was  rejected  by  parliament, /because  the  de 
legates  were  to  be  chosen  by  the  representatives  of  the  peo- 
piy.     It  was  rejected  by  the  colonies  because  it   placed  too 
much  power  in  the  hands  of  the  king.     In   England  appre 
hensions  were  already  entertained  of  the  growing  importance 
of  the  colonial  assemblies.    $n  America,  the  people  began, 
perhaps  iin consciously,  to  be'^aetuated  by  the  spirit  of  inde 
pendence. 

10.  The  conduct  of  the  French,  on  the  Ohio,  convinced 
the  cabinet  of  London  that    their    claim    to    the  country, 
through  which  that  river    flows,  mast  be   relinquished,  or 
maintained  by  the    sword.     They  did    not    hesitate  which 
alternative   to  choose.     Early  in  the  spring  of  1755,  thoy 
despatched  general  Braddock  to  America,  with  a  respecta 
ble  force,  to  expel  the  French,  and  keep  possession  of  the 
territory.     And  preparations  having  been  made  by  Fran'OB 
to  despatch    a    reinforcement    to    her    armies    in   Canada, 
admiral    Boscawen    »vas    ordered    to    endeavor  to  intercept 
the   French  fleet  before   it  should  enter   the    gulf    of  St. 
Lawrence. 

11.  In  April,  general  Braddock  met  the  governors  of  the 
several  provinces,  to  confer  upon  the   plan   of  the  ensuing 
campaign.      Three   expeditions  were    resolved  upon :    one 
against  Du  Quesne,  to  be  commanded  by  general  Braddock  *T 
one  against  forts  Niagara  arid  Frontinac,  to  be  commanded  by 
governor  Shirley  ;  and  o»ne  against  Crown  Point,  to  be  com 
manded  by  general  Johnson.     The  last  mentioned  post  was 
the  nearest  to  New  England  of  any  in  the  possession  of  the 
enemy  ;  and  from  it  almost  all  the  Indian  parties,  which  had, 
in  the  late  wars  so  cruelty  harassed   the    northern  colonies, 
were  despatched  and  supported.     The  expedition  a  gainst  it 
was  proposed  and  urged  by  Massachusetts,  and  was  to  be  ex 
ecuted  by  colonial  troops,  raised  in  Now  England  and  New 
York. 

12.  While  preparations  were  making  far  these  expeditions, 
another,  which    had    been  previously  concerted,  was  carried 
on  against  the  French  forces   in    Nova   Scotia.     This  pro 
vince  was  settled  by  the  French,  but  was  coded  to  the  Eng 
lish  by' the   treaty  of  Utrecht.     Its  boundaries  not   having- 
been  defined,  the   French  continued  to  occupy  a  portion  of 
the  territory  claimed  by  the  English,  and  had  built  forts  for 
their  defence.     To  gain  possession  of  these  was  the  object  of 
the  expedition. 

13.  About  two  thousand   militia,  commanded   by  colonel 
Winslow,  embarked  at  .Boston  ;  and  being  joined  on  their 


3755.!]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1754— 63.  113 

passage  by  three  hundred  regulars,  ar/ived,  in  April,  at  the 
place  of  destination.  The  forts  were  invested;  the  resist, 
a  nee  made  was  trifling  and  ineffectual ;  and  in  a  short  time 
the  English  gained  entire  possession  of  the  province,  accord 
ing  t©  their  own  definition  ©fits  boundaries.  fThree  only  of 
their  men  were  killed.  \ 

14.  The  preparations  of  general   Braddock,  in  Virginia, 
had  proceeded  slowly.     It  had  been  found  extremely  difficult 
to  procure   horses,  wagons,   and   provisions.     Impatient  of 
delay,  he  determined  to  set  out  with  twelve  hundred  men, 
selected  from  the  different  corps,  and  to  proceed,  as  rapidly 
as  possible,  towards  fort   Du  Quesne.     The  residue  of  the 
army,  and  the  heavy  baggage,  were  left  under  the  command 
of  colonel  Dunbar,  who  was  directed  to  follow   as  soon  as 
the  preparations  were  completed, 

15.  Braddock  had  been  educated  in  the   English  army  ; 
and  in  the  science  of  war,  as  then  taught  in  Europe,  he  de- 
•served  and  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  more  than  ordinary 
.skill.     Of  this  reputation  he  was  vain,  and  disdained  to  con. 
sider  that  his  skill  was  totally  inapplicable    to  the  mode  of 
warfare  practised  in  the  forests  of  America,     Before  he  left/ 
England,  he  was  repeatedly  admonished  to  beware  of  a  sur 
prise  ;  and  on  his  march  through  the  wilderness,  the  provin. 
cial  officers  frequently  entreated  him  to  scour  the  surround 
ing  thickets.     But  he  held  these  officers  and  the  enemy  in 
too  much  contempt  to  listen  to  this  salutary  counsel. 

1G.  On  approaching  fort  Du  Quesne,  colonel  Washing- 
tori,  who  accompanied  him  as  his  aid,  made  a  last  attempt 
to  induce  him  to  change  his  order  of  march,  fie  explained 
the  Indian  mode  of  warfare;  represented  his  danger;  and 
offered  to  take  command  of  the  provincials  and  place  him 
self  in  advance  of  the  army.  This  offer  was  declined 
The  general  proceeded,  confident  of  the  propriety  of  his. 
conduct  5  the  provincials  followed,  trembling  for  the  conse 
quences. 

17.  On  the  nsnth  of  July,  the  army  crossed  the  Mononga 
nela,  within  a  few  miles  of  Du  Quesne.  Their  route  leo 
through  a  defile,  which  they  had  nearly  passed,  when  a 
tremendous  yell  and  instantaneous  discharge  of  fire  arms 
suddenly  burst  upon  them  from  an  invisible  foe.  The  van 
was  thrown  into  confusion.  The  general  led  tho  main 
body  to  its  support.  For  a  moment?,  order  was  restored,  and 
a  short  cessation  of  the  enemy's  fire,  occasioned  by  the  death 
of  their  commander,  seemed  to  indicate  that  all  danger  was 
over. 

10  * 


114  FRENCK  WAR  QF  1754—53.  [1755, 

18.  But   the    attack    was  soon    renewed   with  increased 
fury.     Concealed  behind  trees,  logs,  and  rocks,  the  Indiana 
poured  upon  the  troops  a  deadly  and  incessant  fire,     Officers 
and  men  fall  thickly  around,  and  the  survivors  knew  not 
where   to   direct    their    aim    to    revenge  their  slaughtered 
comrades.      The  whole  body  was  again  thrown  into  con 
fusion.     The    .general,   obstinate    and    courageous,  refusec 
to  retreat,  but  bent  his  whole  efforts  to  restore  and  main 
tain  order.     He  persisted  in   these  efforts,  until   five  horse* 
iiad  been  shot  under  him,  and  every  one  of  his   officers  C3» 
horseback,  except  colonel  Washington,  was  either  killed  c 
wounded. 

19.  The  general  at    length    fell,  and    the    rout    became 
universal.     The    troops   flsd   precipitately    until    they    met 
the  division    under    Dunbar,    then  sixty  miles  in  the  rear. 
To  this  .body   the  same   panic  was  communicated.     Turn 
ing  about,  thoy  fled  with  the  rest,  and  although  no  enemy 
Irid  been  seen  during  the  engigemerit,   nor  afterwards,  yet 
the  army  continued  retreating  until   it  reached   fort  Cum 
berland,  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from  the  place  of 
action.     There    they    remained    but    a   short   time..     With 
the  remnant  of   the  army,  amounting    to  fifteen    hundred 
men,  colonel   Dunbar,  upon  whom,  on  the  deatli  of  Brad- 
dock,   the    command    devolved,  marched    to    Philadelphia, 
laavl'ig  the  frontiers  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  destitute- 
of  defence. 

20.  The  provincial  troops,  whom   Braddock  had  so  much 
despised,  displayed,  during   the  battle,  the   utmost  calmness 
and  courage.     Though  placed   in  the   rear,  they  alone,  led 
on    by    Washington,    advanced    against    the    Indians    and 
covered  the  retreat.     Had  they  been   permitted  to  tight  in 
their  own  w;iy,  they  could  easily  have   defeated  the  enemy. 
In   this   battle,  sixty-four,  out  of  eighty-five  officers,   were 
cither    killed    or    wounded,   and    at  least  one  half  of   the 
privates. 

21.  The  two  northern  expeditions,  though  not  so  disas 
trous,  were   both  unsuccessful.     General   Shirley,  who  had 
been  appointed  to  cc.iimand  that  against  Niagara,  met  with 
so  many  dolnys  that  lie  did  not   reach  Oswego  until  late  in 
August.     While   en  barking  there   to  proceed  against  Nia 
gara,  the  autumnal  rains  beg'iri,  his  troops  became  discour 
aged,  his  Indian  allies  deserted  him,  and  he  was  compelled 
to  relinquish  his  design. 

22.  The  forces  destined  to  attack  Crown   Point,  and  the 
••equisite  military  stores,  could  not  be  collected  at  Albany 


1755.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1754—63.  115 

until  the  List  of  August.  Thence  the  army,  under  the  com 
mand  of  general  Johnson,  proceeded  to  the  south  end  of  lake 
George,  on  their  way  to  the  place  of  destination.  There  he 
learned,  that  the  armament,  fitted  out  in  the  ports  of  Franco, 
eluding  the  English  squadron,  had  arrived  at  Quebec,  and 
that  baron  Dicskau,  commander  of  the  French  forces,  was 
advancing  with  an  army  towards  the  territories  of  the  Eng 
lish.  He  halted,  erected  slight  breastworks,  and  detached 
colonel  Williams  with  a  thousand  men  to  impede  the  pro . 
gress  of  the  enemy. 

23.  Dieskau,  who  was  near,  was  immediately  informed 
of  the  approach  of  this  detachment.     Without  losing  a  mo 
nient,  he  directed  his  troops  to  conceal  themselves.     The 
English  advanced' into  the  midst  of  their  enemy  4  and  from 
every  quarter,  received,  at  the  same  moment,  a  sudden  and 
unexpected  fire.     Their  leader  fell,  and  the  men  fled,  in  dis 
order,  to  the  camp. 

24.  They  were  followed  closely  by  the  enemy,   who  ap 
proached  within  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  the  breast 
work  ;    and,   had  they  made   an   immediate  assault,  would 
probably,  such  was  the  panic  of  the  English,  liave  been  sue 
cessful.      But   here    they  halted,  to    make  dispositions  for 
a  regular  attack.     The    Indians    and  Canadians  were    de 
spatched    to  the  flanks,  and  the  regular  troops  began  the 
attack  with  firing,  by  platoons,   at   th.^   centre.      The   fire 
was  ineffectual,  and  the  provincials  gradually  resumed  their 
courage. 

25.  A  few  discharges  of  the  artillery  drove  the  Canadians 
and  Indians  to  the  swamps.     The  regulars,  although  desert 
ed  by  the  auxiliaries,  maintained  the  conflict  for  more  than 
an   hour,  with  much   steadiness   and  resolution.      Dieskau, 
convinced  that  all  his  efforts  must  be  unavailing,  then  gave 
orders  to  retreat.     This  produced  some  confusion,  which  be 
ing  perceived  by  the   provincials,  they  simultaneously,  arid 
without  orders  or   concert,  leaped   over  the   intrenchments, 
fell    upon    the    French    soldiers,    and    killed,   captured  or 
dispersed    them.      The    baron    was    wounded    and    made 
prisoner. 

2G.  The  next  day,  colonel  Blanchard,  who  commanded  at 
fort  Edward,  despatched  captain  Folsom,  of  New  Hamp 
shire,  with  two  hundred  men,  to  the  assistance  of  general 
Johnson.  On  his  way,  he,  discovered  between  three  and  four 
hundred  of  tho  enemy  seated  around  a  pond,  not  far  from 
th*3  place  whore  colonel  Williams  had  been  defeated.  Not- 
Vithstanding  his  inferiority  in  numbers,  he  determined  to 


116  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1744—63.  [1756. 

attack  them.  So  impetuous  was  the  onset,  that,  after  a  sharp 
conflict,  the  enemy  fled.  In  the  several  engagements,  the 
provincials  lost  about  two  hundred  men ;  the  enemy  up. 
wards  of  seven  hundred. 

27.  General  Johnson,  though  strongly  importuned  by  the 
government  of  Massachusetts,  refused  to  proceed  upon  his 
expedition,  which  ^as  abandoned,  and  most  of  his  troops  re 
turned  to  their  respective   colonies.     Thus  ended  the  cam 
paign  of  1755.     It  opened  with  the  brightest  prospects  ;  im- 
morise  preparations  had  been  made,  yet  not  one  of  the  ob 
jects  of  the  three  great  expeditions  had  been  attained. 

28.  During  the   fall  and  winter,  the   southern    colonies 
were   ravaged,  and  the  usual  barbarities  perpetrated  upon 
the  frontier  inhabitants,  by  the  savages,  who,  on  the  defeat 
of  Braddock,  and  the   retreat  of  his   army,  saw  nothing  to 
restrain  their  fury.      In  Virginia    and    Pennsylvania,    dis 
putes    existed     between    the    governors    and    legislatures, 
which  prevented  all    attention   to   the   means    of  defence. 
Scarcely  a  post  was  maintained,  or  a  soldier  employed  in 
their  service. 

29.  The  colonies,  far  from  being  discouraged  by  the  mis 
fortunes  of  the  last  campaign,  determined  to  renew  arid  in 
crease  their  exertions.     General  Shirley,  to  whom  the  super 
intendence  of  all  the  military  operations  had  been  confided, 
assembled  a  council' of  war  at  New  York,  to  concert  a  plan 
for  the  ensuing  year.     He  proposed  that  expeditions  should 
be  carried  on  against  Du  Quesne,  Niagara,  and  Crown  Point, 
and  that  a  body  of  troops  should  be  sent,  by  the  way  of  the 
rivers  Kennebec  and  Chaudtere,  to  alarm  the  French  for  the 
safety  of  Quebec.     This  plan  was  unanimously  adopted  by 
the  council. 

30.  Shirley,  on  the  last  of  January,  returned  to  Boston  to 
meet  the  assembly  of  Massachusetts,  of  which  colony  he  was 
governor.     He  endeavored  to  persuade  them  to  concur  in 
the  measures  proposed ;  but,  disgusted  with  the  proceedings 
of  the  Last  campaign,  and  especially  at   general  Johnson's 
neglecting  to  pursue  his  advantages,  they  were  unwilling  to 
engage  in  offensive  operations,  unless  the  command  of  their 
forces  should  be   given   to  general   Winslow,  who  had  ac 
quired   popularity  by  his  success  in  Nova  Scotia.      Their 
wishes  were  complied  with,  and  their  concurrence  was  then 
granted. 

31.  In  April,  news  arrived  from  Great   Britain,  that  the 
conduct  of  general  Johnson,  instead  of  being  censured,  was 
considered  highly  meritorious  ;  that,  as  a  reward  for  his  sue- 


1756.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1754—63.  117 

cess,  the  king  had  conferred  upon  him  the  title  of  baronet, 
and  parliament  a  grant  of  five  thousand  pounds  sterling; 
that  his  majesty  disapproved  of  the  conduct  of  Shirley,  arid 
had  determined  to  remove  him  from  command. 

32.  This  inform .ition   not   being  official,  general   Shirley 
continued  his  preparations  with  his  usual  activity  and  zeal. 
While  engaged  in  collecting,  at  Albany,  the  troops  from  the 
different  colonies,  general  Webb  brought  from  England  of 
ficial  information  oi'his  removal.     On  the  25th  of  June,  ge 
neral  Abcrcrombie  arrived,  and  took  command  of  the  army. 
It  now  consisted  of  about  twelve   thousand   men,   and   was 
more  numerous  and  better  prepared  for  a  field  than  any  army 
that  had  ever  been  assembled  in  America. 

33.  Singular  as  it  may  appear,  while  this  sanguinary  war 
raged  in  America,  the  intercourse  between  the  two  nations 
in  Europe,   not   only  continued    uninterrupted,   but   seemed 
rnoro  than  usually  friendly.     This  unnatural  state  of  things 
could  not  long  continue.  Great  Britain  declared  war  in  May, 
and  Frmce  in  June. 

31.  The  change  of  commanders  delayed  the  operations  of 
the  English  army.  The  French  were  active ;  and  on  tho 
12lh  of  July,  general  Abercrombie  received  intelligence  that 
they  meditated  an  attack  upon  Osvvego,  a  post  of  the  utmost 
importance.  General  Webb  was  ordered  to  prepare  to  march 
with  a  regiment  for  the  defence  of  that  place.  In  the  mean 
time,  lord  Loudon,  who  had  been  appointed  commander-in. 
chief  over  all  the  British  forces  in  the  colonies,  arrived  in 
America. 

35.  Amidst  the  ceremonies  which  followed,  the  affairs  of 
the  war  were  forgotten.  General  Webb  did  not  begin  his 
march  until  the  12th  of  August.  Before  lie  had  proceeded 
far,  ho  learned  that  Oswego  was  actually  besieged  by  a  largo 
army  of  French  and  Indians.  Al armed  for  his  own  safety, 
he  proceeded  no  further,  but  employed  his  troops  in  erecting 
fortifications  for  their  defence. 

3G.  General  Mcmtcalm,  the  commander  of  the  'French 
troops  in  Cinada,  beg-in  the  siege  of  Oswego  on  the  12th  of 
August.  On  the  14th,  the  English  commander  having  been 
Killed,  terms  of  surrender  were  proposed  by  the  garrison, 
and  were  agreed  to.  Those  terms  were  shamefully  violated. 
Several  of  the  British  officers  and  soldiers  were  insulted, 
robbed,  and  massacred  by  the  Indians.  Most  of  the  sick 
were  scalped  in  the  hospitals,  and  the  French  general  deliv 
ered  twenty  of  the  garrison  to  the  savages,  that  being  the 
number  they  had  lost  during  the  siege.  Those  unhappy 


118  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1754-63.  [1757. 

wretches  were,  doubtless,  according  to  the   Indian  custom, 
tortured  and  burnt. 

37.  General  Webb  was  permitted  to  retreat,  unmolested, 
to  Albany.     Lord  London  pretended  it  was  now  too  late 
in   the   season   to   attempt    any  thing  farther,   though  the 
troops   under    general  Wirislow  were  within    a    few  days' 
march  of  Ticonderoga    and  Crown  Point,  and  were  suffi 
cient   in   number    to  justify  an   attack  upon  those  places. 
He  devoted  the  remainder  of  the  season  to  making  prepa 
rations  for  ari  early  and  vigorous    campaign    the    ensuing 
year. 

38.  This  spring  had  opened  with  still  more  brilliant  pros 
pects  than  the  last ;  and  the  season  closed  without  the  occur 
rence  of  a  single  event  that  was  honorable  to  the   British 
arms,  or  advantageous  to  the  colonies.  ?  This  want  of  suc 
cess  was  justly  attributed  to  the  removal  of  the  provincial  of 
ficers,  who  were  well  acquainted  with  the  theatre   of  opera 
tions,   but  whom  the   ministry,   desirous   of  checking  the 
growth  of  talents  in  the  colonies,  were  unwilling  to  employ. 
Yet  the   several  assemblies,   though    they  saw  themselves 
thus  slighted,  and  their  money  annually  squandered,  .made 
all  the  preparations  that  were  required  of  them  for  the  next 
campaign. 

39.  The  reduction  of  Louisburg  was  the  object  to  which 
the  ministry  directed  the  attention  of  lord  London.     In  the 
spring  of  1757,  he  sailed  from   New  York,  with  6000  men, 
and,  at  Halifax,  met  admiral  Holbourn,  with  transports  con 
taining  an  equal  number  of  troops,  and  a  naval  force  consist 
ing  of  fifteen  ships  of  the  line.     When  about  to  proceed  to 
their  place  of  destination,  intelligence  arrived  that  the  gar 
rison  at  Louisburgh  had  received  a  large  reinforcement,  and 
expected  and  desired  a  visit  from  the  English.     Disheartened 
by  this  intelligence,  the  general  and  admiral  abandoned  the 
expedition. 

40.  While  the  English  commanders  were  thus  irresolute 
and  idle,    the    French   were    enterprising  and   active.     In 
March  general  Montcalm  made  an  attempt  to  surprise  fort 
William  Henry,  at  the  south  end  of  lake  George,  but  was 
defeated    by  the    vigilance    and    bravery  of   the    garrison. 
He  returned  to  Crown    Point,  leaving    a    party  of  troops 
at    Ticonderoga.      Against    this    post  near    four    hundred 
men  were  sent  from  the  fort,  under  the  command  of  colonel 
Parker. 

41.  The   colonel  was    deceived    in    his    intelligence,  de 
coyed  into  an    ambuscade,  and    attacked  with    such    fury, 


1757.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1754—63.  119 

that  but  two  officers  and  seventy  privates  escaped.  Encour 
aged  by  this  success,  Montcalin  determined  to  return  and 
besiege  fort  William  Homy.  For  this  purpose,  he  assem 
bled  an  army  consisting  of  regular  troops,  Canadians  and  In 
dians,  and  amounting  to  near  ten  thousand  men. 

42.  Major  Putnam,  a  brave  and  active  partisan,  obtained 
information  of  the  purposes  of  Montcalm,  which  he  commu 
nicated  to  general  Webb,  who,  in  the  absence  of  lord  Lou- 
don,  commanded  the  British  Hroops  in  that  quarter.     The 
general  enjoined  silence  upon  Putnam,  and  adopted  no  other 
measure,  on  receiving  the  intelligence,  than  sending  colonel 
Monro  to  take  command  of  the  fort. 

43.  The  day  after  this  officer,  ignorant  of  what  was  to 
happen,  had  arrived  at  his  post,  the  lake  appeared  covered 
with  boats,  which  swiftly  approached  the  shore.     Montcalm, 
with  but  little  opposition,  effected   a  landing,  and  immedi 
ately  began    the   siege.      The   garrison,  consisting  of  two 
thousand  five  hundred  men,  animated  by  the  expectation  of 
relief,  made  a  gallant  defence. 

44.  General  Webb  had  an  army  at  fort  Edward,  of  more 
than  four  thousand  men,  and  it  was  in  his  power  to  call  in  a 
large  number  of  provincial  troops  from  New  York  and  New 
England.     To  him  colonel  Monro  sent  repeated  and  press 
ing  solicitations  for  immediate  succor.  These  he  disregarded, 
seeming  entirely  indifferent  to  the  distressing  situation  of 
his  fellow  soldiers. 

45.  At  length,  on  the  ninth  day  of  the  siege,  in  compli 
ance  with  the  entreaties    of  the  friends  of   Monro,  gene 
ral  Webb  despatched  sir  William    Johnson,  with    a    body 
of    men    to    his    relief.      They    had   riot    proceeded    three 
miles  when    the    order  was    countermanded.     Webb    then 
wrote  to  Monro  that  he  could    afford  him    no    assistance, 
and  advised  him  to  surrender  on  the  best  terms  that  he  could 
obtain. 

46.  This  letter  was  intercepted   by  Montcalm,  who,   in 
a  conference  which  he  procured,  handed  it  himself  to  the 
commander  of  the  fort.      All    hope    of    relief    being    ex 
tinguished,  articles    of   capitulation    were    agreed    to.     In 
these  it  was   expressly  stipulated    by  Montcalm,  that   the 
prisoners  should  be  protected  from  the  savages,  by  a  guard, 
and  that  the    eick    and  wounded   should    be    treated    with 
humanity. 

47.  But  the  next  morning  a  great  number    of  Indians, 
having  been  permitted  to  enter  the  lines,  began  to  plunder 
Meeting  with  no  opposition,  they  fell  upon  the  sick  and 


120  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1754—63.  1758.] 

wounded,  whom  thoy  immediately  massacred.  Tliis  excited 
their  app"tite  for  carnage.  The  defenceless  troops  were 
surrounded  and  attacked  with  fioncl-^ke  fury.  Monro,  hast- 
ening  to  Montcalrn,  implored  him  to  provide  the  stipulated 
guard. 

48.  His  entreaties  were  ineffectual,  and  the  massacre  pro. 
ceeded.     All   was  turbulence   and   horror.     On   every  sitlo, 
savages  were  butchering  and  scalping   their  wretched  vie- 
tirns.     Tiieir  hideous  yells,  the  groans  of  the  dying  and  the 
frantic  shrieks  of  others,  shrinking  from  the  uplifted   toma 
hawk,  were  heard  by  the   French  unmoved.     The    fury  of 
the  savages  was  permitted  to  rag?i  without  restraint,  until  a 
large  riurnbor  were  killed,  or  hurried  captives  into  the  wil 
derness. 

49.  The  day  after  this  awful  tragedy,  major  Putnam  was 
sent,  with  his  rangers,  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy. 
When  ho  came  to  the  shore  of  the  lake,  their  rear  was  hardly 
beyond  the  reach  of  musket  shot.     The  prospect  was  shock 
ing  and  horrid.     The  fort  was   demolished.     The   barracks 
and  buildings  were  yet  burning.     Innumerable  fragments  of 
human  carcasses  still   broiled  in  the  decaying   fir?s.     Doad 
bodies,  marigbd  with  tomahawks  and  scalping  knives,  in  all 
the  wantonness  of  Indian  barbarity,  Wjfe  every  where   scat 
tered  around. 

59.  General  Webb,  apprehensive  of  an  attack  u.pon  him 
self,  sent  expresses  to  the  provinces  for  reinforcements. 
They  were  raised  and  despatched  with  expedition  ;  but  as 
Montcalrn  returned  to  Ticonderoga,  they  wero  kept  in  ser 
vice  but  a  few  weeks.  And  thus  ended  the  third  campaign 
in  America. 

51.  These  continual  disasters  resulted  from  folly  and  mis 
management,  rather  than  from  want  of  means  and  military 
strength.     The  British  nation  was  alarmed  and  indignant, 
and  the  kino;  found  it  necessary  to  change  his  councils.     At 
th?  head  of  the    new  ministry  h?,    placed    the    celebrated 
William  Pitt,   who  rose,   by  the  force  of  his  talonts  alone, 
from  the  humblo    post  of   ensign    in    the    guurJs,  to    the 
control  of  the  destinies  of  a   mighty  empire.     Public  con 
fidence  revived,  and  the   nation   soomed   inspired  with  new 
life  and  vigor. 

52.  For   the    nnxt   campaign,    the    ministry    determined 
upon    three    expeditious  ;f  one    of    twelve    thousand    men 
against     Louisburgh  ;     ono    of    sixteen     thousand     agains: 
Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  and  on-3  of  eight  thousand 
against  fort  Du  Quesnc.     The   colonies  wero   called  upor. 


1758.}  FRENCH   WAR  OF  1754—63.  121 

to. render  all  the  assistance  in  their  power.  Lord  London 
having  been  recalled,  the  command  of  the  expedition  against 
Louisburgh  was  given  to  general  Arnherst,  under  whom  ge 
neral  V/olfe  served  as  Brigadier.  The  place  was  invested 
on  the  12th  of  June.  Amherst  made  his  approaches  with 
much  circumspection ;  and,  without  any  memorable  inci 
dent,  the  siege  terminated,  on  the  26th  of  July,  by  the  sur- 
renuer  of  the  place.  Whenever  an  opportunity  occurred, 
general  Wolfe,  who,  was  then  young,  displayed  all  that  fire, 
impetuosity,  and  discretion^  which  afterwards  immortalized 
his  name. 

53.  The  expedition  against  Ticonderoga  was  commanded 
by  general  Abercrornbie.  He  was  accompanied  by  lord  Howe, 
whose  military  talents   and   amiable   virtues   made   him  the 
darling  of  the  soldiery.     This  army  consisted  of  seven  thou 
sand  regular, troops,  and  ten   thousand  provincials.     When 
approaching  the   fort,   a  skirmish   took   place  with  a  small 
party  of  the  enemy,  in  which  lord  Howe  was  killed  at  the 
first  fire.     On  seeing  him  fall,  the  troops  moved  forward  with, 
an  animated  determination  to  avenge  his  death.     Throe  hun 
dred  of  the  enemy  were  killed  on  the  spot,  and  one  hundred 
and  forty  made  prisoners. 

54.  The  ardor  of  his  men,  and  the  intelligence  gained  from 
the  prisoners,  induced  general  Abercrombie  to  make  an  as 
sault  upon  the  works.     It  was  received  with  undaunted  bra 
very,  and  was  persevered  in  with  singular  obstinacy.   For  four 
hours  the  troops  remained  before  the  walls,  attempting  to 
scale  them,  and   exposed  to  a  destructive   fire  of  musketry 
and  artillery.     The    general,    desparing    of   success,    then 
directed  a  retreat.      Near  two  thousand  of  the  assailants 
were  killed  or  wounded.     The  loss  of  the  French  was  not 
great,  and  most  of  the   killed   were  shot  through  the  head, 
the  other  parts  of   their    bodies    being    protected  by  their 
works. 

55.  After  this  bloody  repulse,   Abr-rcrombie   despatched 
colonel  Bradstreet,  with  three  thousand  men,  mostly  provin 
cials,  against   fort   Frontinac,  which  was   situated   on   lake 
Ontario,  and  contained  a  large  quantity  of  merchandize,  pro 
visions,  and  military  stores.     It   fill  an   easy  conquest,  and 
the  loss  was  severely  felt  by  the  French.     The  western  In 
dians,  riot  receiving  their  usual  supply  of  merchandize,  re 
laxed  in  their  exertions ;  and  the  troops  at  Du  Quesne  suf 
fered  from  the  want  of  provisions  and  military  stores.  These 
circumstances  contributed  essentially  to  facilitate  the  opera. 
UJHS  of  the  third  expedition. 

11 


122  FRENCH  WAR  OF  J  754— 63.  [1759. 

56.  This  was   placed    under    the    command    of  general 
Forbes.     He  left  Philadelphia  in  the  beginning  of  July,  and 
after  a   laborious  march,   through   deep  morasses  and  over 
unexplored  mountains,  arrived  at  Raystown,   ninety  rnilos 
from    Du    Quesne.      An    advanced    party  of   eight    hun 
dred  men,  undei*  the  command  of  major  Grant,  was  met 
by  a  detachment  from  the  fort,  and  defeated,  with    great 
slaughter. 

57.  Forbes,  undismayed  by  this  disaster,   advanced  with 
cautious  and  steady  perseverance.     The  enemy,  <j-lj«eryii?g 
his  circumspection,  determined  not  to  abide  the/  event  of 
a  siege.     After  dismantling  the  fort,  they  retired  down  the 
Ohio,    to    their    settlements  on    the    Mississippi.     General 
Forbes,  taking  possession  of  the  place,  changed  its  name  to 
Pittsburgh. 

58.  The  campaign  of  1758  was  highly  honorable  to  the 
British  arms.     Of  the  three  expeditions,  two  held  completely 
succeeded,  and  the  leader  of  the  third  had  made  an  important 
conquest.     To  the  commanding  talents  of  Pitt,  and  the  con 
fidence  which  they  inspired,  this  change   of  fortune  must 
be  attributed ;  and  in  no  respect  were  these  talents  more 
strikingly  displayed,  than  in  the  choice   of  nten  to  execute 
his  plans. 

59.  Encouraged  by  the  events  of  this  yeai%  the   English 
anticipated  still  greater  success  in  the  campaign  which  was 
to  follow.     The  plan  marked  out  by  the  minister^  was  indi, 
cative  of  the  boldness  and  energy  of  his  genius,  f  Three  dif 
ferent  armies  were,  at  the  same  time,  to  be  led  against  the 
three  strongest  posts  of  the    French  in  America;  Niagara, 
Ticonderogu,  and  Quebec.  ;   The  latter  post  was  considered 
the  strongest ;  and   it  was  therefore  intended  that,  should 
Ticorideroga  be  conquered,  the  victorious  army  should  press 
forward  to  assist  in  its  reduction. 

60.  In  the  beginning  of  July,  general  Prideaux  embarked 
on  lake  Ontario,  with    the  army  destined  against   Niagara. 
and,  on  the  sixth,  landed  about  three   miles  from  the  ififrt 
He  immediately  commenced  a  siege,  in  the  progress  of  which 
he  was  killed,  by  the  bursting  of  a  shell.     The   command 
devolved   upon   sir  William  Johnson.     An  army  of  French 
and  Indians  approaching  soon  after,  he  detached  a  part  of 
his   forces  to  meet   them.     A  battle   ensued;    the  English 
gained  the  victory,  which  was  followed  by  the   surrender  of 
the  fort. 

61.  General   Amherst,  to  whom  was  assigned   the  expo- 
dition  against  Ticonderoga,   found   so  many  difficulties  to 


1759.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1754^-63.  123 

surmount,  thatjhe  was  unable  to  present  himself  before  that 
place  until  late  in  July.  It  was  immediately  abandoned  by 
the  enemy.  The  British  general,  after  repairing  the  works, 
proceeded  against  Crown  Point.  On  his  approach,  this  was 
also  deserted,  the  enemy  retiring  to  the  Isle  aux  Noix.  To 
gain  possession  of  this  post,  great  efforts  were  made,  and 
much  time  consumed  ;  but  a  succession  of  storms  on  lake 
Cham  plain  prevented  success.  General  Amherst  was  com. 
polled  to  lead  back  his  army  to  Crown  Point,  where  he  en- 
camped  for  the  winter. 

62.  The  expedition  against  Quebec  was  the  most  daring 
and   important.     That   place,  strong  by   nature,    had   been 
made  still  stronger  by  art,  and  hud  received  the  appropriate 
appellation  of  the  Gibraltar  of  America.     Every  expedition 
against  it  had  failed.     It  was  now  commanded  by  Montcalni, 
an  officer  of  distinguished  reputation  :  and  an  attempt  to  re. 
'duce  it  must  have  seemed  chimerical  to.  any  one  but  Pitt.  He 
judged  rightly,  that  the  boldest  and  most  dangerous  enter 
prises  are  often  the  most  successful.     They  arouse  the  ener 
gies  of  man,  and  elevate  them  to  a  fcvcl   with   the  dangers 
and  difficulties  to  be  encountered,  especially  when  committed 
to  ardent  minds,  glowing  with  enthusiasm,  and  emulous  of 
glory. 

63.  Such   a  mind  he   had  discovered  in   general  Wolfe, 
whose  conduct  at  Louisburg  had  attracted  his  attention.  He 
appointed  him  to  conduct  tiie  expedition,  and   gave  him  for 
assistants,    brigadier-generals    Moncton,    Townshend,    and 
Murray ;  all,  like  himself,  young  and  ardent.     Early  in  the 
season,  he  sailed  from  Halifax,  with  eight  thousand  troops, 
and,  near  the   last  of  June,  landed  the  whole  army  on  the 
island    f  Orleans,  a  few  miles  below  Quebec. 

64.  From  this  position  he  could   take   a  near  and  distinct 
view  of  the  obstacles  to  be  overcome.     These  were  so  great, 
that  even  the  bold  and  sanguine  Wolfe   perceived  more  to 
fear  than  to  hope.     In  a  letter  to   Mr.  Pitt,  written  before 
commencing  operations,  he  declared   that  he  saw  but   little 
prospect  of  reducing  the  place. 

65.  Quebec  stands  on  the  north  side  of  the  St.  Lawrence, 
and  consists  of  an  upper  and  lower  town.     The  lower  town 
lies  between  the    river    and    a    bold    and    lofty  eminence, 
which  runs  parallel  to  it,  far  to  the  westward.     At  the  top 
of  this  eminence  is  a  p^ain,  upon  wM<>h  the  upper  town  is 
situated.      Below,  or    east    of   the    city,  is    the    river  St. 
Charles,  whose   channel   is    rough,  and  whose   banks    are 
steep  and  broken.     A  short   distance  farther  down  is  the 


i24  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1734— 63.  [1759 

river  Montmorency  ;  and  between  these  two  rivers,  and 
reaching  from  one  to  the  other,  was  encarnpsd  the  French 
army,  strongly  entrenched  and  at  least  etuial  in  number  to 
that  of  the  English. 

6(>.  General  Wolfe  took  possession  of  Point  Levi,  on  the 
bank  of  the  river  opposite  Quebec,  and  from  that  position 
cannonaded  the  town.  Some  injury  was  done  to  the  houses, 
but  his  cannon  were  too  distant  to  make  any  impression  upon 
the  works  of  the  enemy.  He  resolved  to  quit  this  post,  to 
land  bolow  Montmorency,  and  passing  that  river,  to  attack 
the  French  general  in  his  entrenchments. 

67.  He  succeeded  in  landing  his  troops,  and,  with  a  por 
tion  of  his  army,  crossed  the  Montmorency.     A  partial  en- 
gagement  took  place,  in  which  the  French  obtained  the  ad 
vantage.     Relinquishing  this  plan,  he  then  determined,  in 
concert  with  the  admiral,  to  destroy  the  French  shipping  and 
magazines.     Two  attempts  were  unsuccessful ;  a  third  was 
more  fortunate,  yet  but  little  was  effected.     At  this  juncture, 
intelligence  arrived  that  Niagara  was  taken,  that  Ticonde- 
roga  and  Crown  Point  had  been  abandoned,  but  that  general 
Amherst,   instead  of  pressing  forward  to  their  assistance, 
was  preparing  to  attack  the  Isle  aux  Noix. 

68.  Wolfe  rejoiced  at  the  success  of  his  brethren  in  arms, 
but  could  not  avoid  contrasting  their  success  with   his  own 
ill  fortune.  His  mind,  alike  lofty  and  susceptible,  was  deeply 
impressed  by  the   disasters  at   Montmorency ;    and  the  ex- 
treme  chagrin  of  his  spirits,  preying  upon  his  delicate  frame, 
sensibly  affected  his  health.     He  was  observed  frequently  to 
sigh ;  and,  as  if  lifj  was  only  valuable  while  it  added  to  his 
glory,  he  declared  to  his  intimate  friends,  that  he  would  riot 
survive  the   disgrace  which   he   imagined  would  attend  the 
failure  of  his  enterprise. 

69.  Despairing  of  success  below  the  town,  he  next  direct 
ed  his  efforts  towards  effecting  a  landing  above  it.     He  re- 
moved  a  part  of  his  army  to  Point  Le^  i,  and  the  remainder 
higher  up  the  river.     He  now  found   that,  on   this   quarter, 
the  fortifications  were  not  strong;  and  discovered  that  the 
heights  behind  them  might  possibly  be  gained,  by  ascending 
the  precipice  in  a  narrow  path,  which  was  defended  only  by 
a  captain's  gmrd. 

70.  The  difficulties  attending  this  enterprise  were  nume 
rous.     The  current  was   rapid,  the  shore  shelving,  the  only 
landing  place  so  narrow  that  it  might  easily  be  missed  in 
the  dark,  and  the   steep  above,  such   as  troops,  even  when 
unopposed,  could  not  ascend  without  difficulty.     Yet  the 


1759.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1744—63.  125 

plan,  though  bold  and  ha/ardous,  was  well  adapted   to  the 
desperate  situation  of  affairs,  and  was  determined  on. 

71.  To  conceal  their  intention,  the   admiral  retired  seve 
ral  leagues  up  the  river.     During    the    evening    a    strong 
detachment  was  put  on  board  the  boats,  and  moved  silently 
down   with  the   tide,  to  the  place  of  landing,  where  they 
arrived  an  hour  before   daybreak.     Wolfe   leaped  on  shore, 
was  followed   by  the   troops,   and   all   instantly  began,  with 
the  assistance  of  shrubs   and  projecting  rocks,  to  climb  up 
the  precipice.     The  guard  was  dispersed,  and  by  the  dawn 
of  day,  the   whole   army  gained  the   heights   of  Abraham, 
where  the  different  corps  were  formed  under  their  respective 
leaders. 

72.  Montcalm,  at  first,  could  not  believe  that  the  English. 
had  ascended  the  heights.     When  convinced  of  the  fact,  he 
comprehended  the  full  advantage  they  had  gained.     He  saw 
that  a  battle  was  inevitable,  and  prepared  for  it  with  prompt 
ness  and  courage.     Leaving  his  camp   at  Montmorency,  he 
advanced  towards  the  English   army,  which  was  formed  in 
order  of  battle  to  receive  him. 

73.  The  French  advanced  briskly.     The  English  reserved 
their  fire  until  the  enemy  were   near,  and  then   gave  jt  with 
decisive  effect.  Early  in  the  engagement,  Wolfe  was  wound 
ed  in  the  wrist,  but  preserving   his   composure,  he  contin 
ued  to  encourage    his    troops.     Soon   after,  he    received  a 
shot  in  the  groin.     This   painful  wound  he  also  concealed, 
placed  himself  at  the  heaa  of  the  grenadiers,  aud  was  lead 
ing  them  to  the  charge,  when  he  received  a  third?  and  mortal 
wound. 

74.  Undismayed  by  the  fall  of  their  general,  the  English 
continued  their  exertions  under  Moncton,  who,  in  a  short 
time,  was  himself  wounded,  and  the  command  devolved  upon 
Townshend.     About  the  same  time,  Montcalm  received  a 
mortal  wound,  and  the  second  in  command  also  fell.     The 
left  wing  and  centre   of  the   French  gave  way.     Part  were 
driven  into  Quebec,  and  part  over  the  river  St.  Charles. 

75.  On  receiving  his  mortal  wound,  Wolfe  was  conveyed 
into  the  rear,  where,  careless  about  himself,  he   discovered, 
in  the  agonies  of  death,  the  most  anxious  solicitude  con 
cerning  the  fate  of  the   day.     From  extreme  faintncss,  he 
had  reclined  his  head  on  the  arm  of  an  officer,  but  was  soon 
iroused  by  the   cry  of,   "They  fly,  they  fly."     "Who  fly?" 
exclaimed  the  dying  hero.     "  The  French,"  answered  his 
\ttendant.     "  Then,"  said  he,   "  I  die  contented,"  and  im- 
.uediately  expired.     A  death  so  glorious,  and  attended  by 

11  * 


126  REVOLUTION. 

circumstances  GO  interesting,  has  seldom  been  recorded  in 
history. 

76.  Five  days  after  the  the  batt.le.  the   city  surrendered, 
and  received  an- English  garrison.     The  French  concentra 
ted   their  remaining  forces   at   Montreal,  and,  early  in  the 
spring,  made  attempts  to  regain  possession  of  Quebec.     Un 
successful  in  these,  they  returned  to  Montreal,  towards  which 
the  whole  British  force  in  America,  under  the  command  of 
general    Amherst,   was   approaching.      This  force  was  too 
strong  to  be  resisted.    'In   September,   1760,  that   city  sur 
rendered,  and  soon  after  all  the  French  posts  in  Canada  fell 
into  the  power  of  the  English. 

77.  In  the  other    parts    of  the  world,    their    arms  were 
equally  successful ;  and  at   the   commencement  of  1763,  a 
peace,    highly   advantageous    to    their    interests,  was  con 
cluded   at   Paris.     By  the  treaty,   France    ceded    to    Great 
Britain  all    her    northern    settlements    in   America,   which 
relieved  the  colonies  from  the  continual  dread  of  savage  in 
cursions. 


CHAPTER  XV. 
REVOLUTION. 

IN  the  late  brilliant  contest,  England  had  made  unprece 
dented  exertions.  At  its  close,  she  found  that,  though  she 
had  encircled  her  name  with  glory,  and  added  extensive  ter-" 
ritories  to  her  empire,  she  had  increased,  in  proportion,  the 
burdens  of  her  subjects,  having  added  '  three  hundred  and 
twenty  millions  of  dollars  to  the  amount  of  her  debt.  To 
find  the  means  of  defraying  the  annual  charges  of  this  debt, 
and  her  other  increased  expenditures,  was  the  first  and  diffi 
cult  task  of  her  legislators. 

2.  Regard  for  their  own  interest  and  popularity  impelled 
them  to  avoid,  if  possible,  imposing  the  whole  burden  upon 
themselves   and   their   fellow  subjects   at   home ;    and   their 
thoughts  were  turned  to  the  colonies,  as  the  source  whence 
alleviation  and  assistance   might  be  derived.     On   their  ac 
count,  it  was  alleged,  the   contest  had  been   waged ;    they 
would  share  the  advantages  of  its  glorious  termination,  and 
justice  required  that  they  should  also  defray  a  portion  of  tha 
the  expenses. 

3.  To   adopt  this  expedient,  the    British  ministry  wero 


1764.]  REVOLUTION.  127 

the  more  naturally  led  by  the  opinion  winch  all  the  European 
governments  entertained  of  the  relation  between  the  mother 
country  and  her  colonies.  They  were  supposed  to  be  de 
pendent  on  her  will ;  their  inhabitants  a  distinct  and  subor 
dinate  class  of  subjects,  and  their  interests  entirely  subser 
vient  to  her  aggrandizement  and  prosperity. 

4.  Acting  upon  these  principles,  Great  Britain  had,  by  her 
laws  of  trade  and  navigation,  confined  the  commerce  of  the 
colonies  almost  wholly  to  herself.     To  encourage  her  own 
artisans,  she  had  even,  in  some  cases,  prohibited  the  esta- 
lishment  of  manufactories  in  America.     These  restrictions, 
while  they  increased  her  revenue  and  wealth,  greatly  dimi 
nished  the  profits  of  the  trade  of  the  colonies,  and  sensibly 
impeded  their  internal  prosperity.    They  were  most  injurious 
to  New  England,  where  the  sterility  of  the  soil  repelled  the 
people   from  the  pursuits   of  agriculture  ;  there   they  were 
most  frequently  violated,  and   there  the  arbitrary  mode  of 
enforcing  them,  by  writs  of  assistance,  awakened  the  atten 
tion  of  a  proud  and  jealous  people  to  their  natural  -rights,  to 
Ihoir  rights  as   English  subjects,  and  to  the  rights  granted 
and  secured  by  their  charters. 

5.  In  the  beginning  of -''the -year  17G4,  the   British  parlia 
ment  enacted  a  law  imposing  duties  upon  certain  articles  of 
merchandise,  to  bo   paid  in  the  colonial  ports.     Mr.  Gron- 
ville,  the  'prime  minister,  also  proposed  a  resolution,   "  that 
it  would  be  proper  to  charge  certain   stamp  duties  on  tho 
colonies,"  but   postponed  the  consideration  of  that   subject 
to  a  future  session.     As  it  was  foreseen  that  the  law  would 
be  disregarded,  if  extraordinary  measures  were  not  adopted 
to   enforcs    it,    provision   was   made   that    all    penalties   for 
Violations  of  it,  and   of  all   other  revenue   laws,  might  be 
recovered    in   the   admiralty   courts.     The  judges   of  these 
courts  were  dependent  solely  ;on  the  kin<r,  and  decided  the 
causes  brought  before  them,  withoiit  the  intervention  of  a 
lury. 

6.  Intelligence  of  these  proceedings  occasioned,  in  Ame 
iica,  great  and  universal  alarm.     They  were  considered  the 
>;ommoncemont  of  a  system  of  taxation,  which,  if  not  vigor 
ously  resisted,  would,  in   time,  be  extended  to  every  article 
)f  commerce,  and  to  every  internal  source  of  income  ;  and 
'f  the  colonists  could   be  deprived  in  one   class  of  causes, 
vby  not  in   all,  of  that  inestimable  privilege,  the  trial  by 
jury  ? 

7.  The  general   court  of  Massachusetts,  at  their  session 
in  June,  took  this  law  into   consideration.     The  house  of 


128  REVOLUTION.  [1764 

representatives  sent  a  spirited  letter  of  instructions  to 
their  agent,  in  England,  in  which  they  denied  the  right  of 
parliament  to  impose  duties  and  taxes  upon  the  people  not 
represented  in  the  house  of  commons  ;  and  directed  him: 
to  remonstrate  against  the  duties  imposed,  and  the  stamp, 
act  in  contemplation.  They  also,  acquainted  the  other 
colonies  with  the  instructions  they  had  given  to  their  agent, 
and  desired  their  concurrence  in  the  mode  of  opposition 
adopted.  In  the  course  of  the  year,  several  other  colo. 
nies,  particularly  New  York  and  Virginia,  remonstrated  in 
respectful,  but  decided  terms,  against  the  proceedings  of 
parliament. 

8.  In   these    several   state    papers,   the    right    of   Great 
Britain  to  collect  a  tax  in  the  colonies,  was  explicitly  de-. 
nied  ;  and  the  denial  was  supported  by  clear  and  powerful 
arguments.     It  was  stated    that  the  first   emigrants   came 
to  America  with  the  undoubted  consent  of  the  mother  coun 
try  ;  that  all  the   expenses  of  removal,  of  purchasing  the 
territory,  and,  for  a  long  time,  of   protection  from   savage 
warfare,   were   defrayed   by  private   individuals,   except  in 
the    single    instance    of   the  settlement  of   Georgia ;    that 
charters  under  the  great  seal,  were  given  to  the  emigrants,, 
imparting  and  securing  to  them  and  to  their  descendants, 
all   the   rights  of  natural   born  English  subjects  ;    that  of 
these   rights,  none  was  more  indisputable,tand  none  more 
highly  valued,  than  that  no  subject  could  be   deprived  of 
his  property  but  by  his  own  consent,  expressed  in  person 
or  by  his  representative  ;  that  taxes  were,  but    grants,  by 
the  representative,  of  a   portion   of  his   own   property,  and 
of  that  of  those  who  had  authorized   him  to  act  in  their 
behalf.     Could  it  be  just,  it  was  asked,  that  the  represen 
tatives  of  Englishmen   should   "  give   and  grant"  the  pro- 
perty  of  Americans  ?     With  what  safety  to  the   colonies, 
could  the  right  of  taxing  them  be  confided  to  a  body  of  men 
three  thousand  miles  distant,  over  whom  they  had  no  con 
trol,  none  of  whom  could  be  acquainted  with  their  situation 
or  resources,  and  whose  interests  would  impel  them  to  make 
tho  burdens  of  the  colonists  heavy,  that  their  own  might  be 
light  ? 

9.  But,   besides    infringing   the    rights  of   freemen,  tho 
measure   was    neither  equitable   nor    generous.     The  cola, 
nies    had    domestic    governments    which    they    alone   sup. 
ported  ;  in  the  late  war,  their  exertions  had  been  greater, 
in  proportion  to  their  ability,  than  those  of  England  ;  they 
also    had   contracted    debts    which   they   must   themselves 


1765.]  REVOLUTION.  129 

pay ;  the  taxes  laid  by  many  of  the  assemblies,  were  higher 
than  those  paid  by  the  inhabitants  of  England  ;  if  the  war 
h:id  been  waged  on  their  account,  it  was  because,  as  colo 
nies,  they  were  beneficial  to  the  mother  country  ;  and  from 
its  happy  termination,  they  derived  no  advantage  which  was 
not  the  source  of  ultimate  profit  to  her. 

10.  Upon  men  who  entertained  the  strictest  notions  of 
colonial  dependence,  and  parliamentary  supremacy,  these 
arguments  had  little  effect.  The  minister  was  not  diverted 
from  his  purpose.  In  March,  1765,  he  laid  before  parlia 
ment  a  bill,  imposing  stamp  duties  on  certain  papers  and 
documents  used  in  the  colonies.  At  the  first  reading,  it  was 
warmly  opposed  ;  by  some  because  it  was  impolitic,  by  two 
only  because  it  was  a  violation  of  right. 

1:I.  The  bill  was  supported  by  Charles  Townshend,  a  bril 
liant  orator  on  the  side  of  the  ministry.  At  the  conclusion 
of  an  animated  speech,  he  demanded  :  "  And  these  Ameri 
cans,  children  planted  by  our  care,  nourished  by  our  indul 
gence,  protected  by  our  arms,  until  they  are  grown  to  a  good 
degree  of  strength  and  opulence,  will  they  grudge  to  contri 
bute  their  mite  to  relieve  us  from  the  heavy  load  of  national 
expense  which  we  lie  under  ?" 

12.  Colonel  Barre,   immediately  rising,   indignantly  and 
eloquently  exclaimed  :    "  Children   planted    by  your  care  ! 
No.     Your  oppressions  planted    them   in  America.     They 
fled    from   your   tyranny   into    a    then    uncultivated    land, 
where  they  were    exposed    to  all    the    hardships  to  which 
human  nature  is  liable  ;  and  among  others,  to  the  cruelties 
of  a  savage   foe,  the  most   subtle,  and,  I  will    take  upon 
me  to  say,  the  most  terrible,  that  ever  inhabited  any  part 
of  God's  earth.     And  yet,  actuated  by  principles  of  true 
English  liberty,  they  mot  all  these  hardships  with  pleasure, 
when    they    compared    them  with    those    they  suffered    in 
their  own  country,  from  men  who  should  have  been  their 
friends. 

13.  "  They  nourished  by  your  indulgence  !     No.     They 
grew  by  your   neglect.     When    you    began    to  care  about 
them,  that   care  was   exercised   in   sending  persons  to  rule 
x>ver  them,  who  were  the  deputies  of  some  deputy  sent  to 
spy  out  their  liberty,  to  misrepresent  their  actions,  and  to 
prey  upon  them  ;  whose  behavior,  on  many  occasions,  has 
caused   the   blood  of  those   sons   of  liberty  to  recoil  within 
them  ;  men  promoted  to  the  highest  seats  of  justice,  some 
of  whom  were  glad,  by  going  to  a  foreign  country,  to  escape 
ibeing  brought  to  the  bar  of  justice  in  their  own. 


130  REVOLUTION.  [17G5, 

14.  "  They  protected  by  your  arms !     They  have  nobly 
taken  up  arms  in  your  defence.     They  have  exertod  their 
valor   amidst  their  constant  and  laborious  industry,  for  the 
defence  of  a  country  which;  while  its  frontier  was  drenched 
in  blood,  has  yielded  all  its  little  savings  to  your  emolument. 
Believe    me,    and    remember    I.  this  day   told   you    so,   the 
same  spirit  which  actuated  that  people  at  first,  still  conti 
nues  with  them  ;  but  prudence  forbids  me  to  explain  myself 
further. 

15.  "  God  knows  I  do  not  at  this  time  speak  from  party 
heat.     However  superior  to  me  in  general  knowledge  and 
experience  any  one  here  may  be,  I  claim  to  know  more  ol 
America,   having  been  conversant  in   that  country.     The 
people  there  are  as  truly  loyal  as  any  subjects  the  king  has, 
but  they  are  a  people  jealous  of  tiieir  liberties,  and  will  vin 
dicate  them  if  they  should  be  violated.     But  the  subject  is 
delicate  ;  I  will  say  no  more.*' 

16.  Eloquence  and  argument  availed  nothing.     The  bill 
was  almost  unanimously  passed.     The  night  after,  doctor 
Franklin,  then  in  England  as  agent  for  Pennsylvania,  wrote 
to  Charles  Thompson  :  "  The  sun  of  liberty  is  set ;  you  must 
light  up  the  candles  of  industry  and  economy."     "  Be  as 
sured,"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  in  reply,   *'  that  we  shall  light 
up  torches  of  quite  another  sort ;"  thus  predicting  the  com 
motions  which  followed. 

17.  The  act  provided  that  all  contracts  and  legal  processes 
should  be  written  on  stamped  paper,  which  was  to  be  fur 
nished,  at  exorbitant  prices,  by  the  government,  or  should 
have  no  force  in  law.     Information  of  its  passage  was  re 
ceived  in  all   the  colonies  with  sorrow  and  dismay.     They 
saw  that  they  must  either  surrender,  without  a  struggle, 
their  darling   rights,  or  resist  the  government  of  a  nation, 
which  they  had  been  accustomed  to  regard  with  filial  respect, 
and  was  them  the  most  powerful  in  the  world. 

18.  The  general  assembly  of  Virginia  were  in  session  when 
the  information  arrived.     Of  that  body,  Patrick  Henry,  a 
young    man,   but    a    distinguished    orator,    was   a    member. 
Near  the  close  of  the  session,  he  proposed  five  resolutions, 
in  the  first  four  of  which  were  asserted  the  various  rights 
and  privileges  claimed  by  the  colonists,  and,   in  the  fifth, 
the    right  of  parliament  to  tax  America,   was  boldly  and 
explicitly  denied.     These  he  defended  by  strong  reason  and 
irresistible  eloquence,  and  they  were  adopted  by  a  majority 
of  one. 

19.  The  next  day,  in   his  absence,  the   fifth   resolution 


1735.1  REVOLUTION.  131 

was  rescinded  ;  but  that  and  the  others  had  gone  forth  to  the 
world,  and  imparted  higher  animation  to  the  friends  of  free 
dom.  They  were  a  signal  to  the  resolute  and  ardent ;  they 
gave  encouragement  to  the  tirnid  and  cautious:  they  were 
industriously  but  privately  circulated,  in  the  principal  cities, 
until  they  arrived  in  New  England,  where  they  were  fear 
lossly  published  in  all  the  newspapers. 

20.  Nearly  at  the  same  time,  and  before  the  proceedings 
of  Virginia  were  known  in  Massachusetts,  her  general  court 
adopted   measures  to  procure  a  combined  opposition  to  the 
offensive  laws.     They  passed  a  resolve  proposing  that  a  con 
gress  of  delegates  from  the  several  colonies*  should  be  held 
at  New  York,  and  addressed  letters  to  the  other  assemblies, 
earnestly  soliciting  their  concurrence. 

21.  These  legislative  proceedings  took  place  in  May  and 
June,  1765.     They  were  the  moderate  and  dignified  expres 
sion  of  feelings,  which  animated,  in  a  more  intense  degree, 
a  great  majority  of  the  peop'e.     In  New  England,  associa 
tions,  for  the  purpose  of  resisting  the  law,  were  organized, 
assuming,   from   Barrc's  speech,  the  appellation  of   "  Sons 
of   Liberty ;"    pamphlets   were    published   vindicating    the 
rights  of  the  colonies  ;  and  the  public  journals  were  filled 
with  essays  pointing  out  the  danger  which  threatened  the 
cause  of  liberty,    and    encouraging  a  bold  and  manly  re 
sistance. 

22.  Excited  by  these  publications,  a  multitude  assembled 
in  Boston,  on  the  14th  of  August,  burned  the  effigy  of  An 
drew  Oliver,  who  had  been  appointed  stamp-distributer,  and 
demolished  a  building  which  they  supposed  he  had  erected 
for  his  office.     Fearful  of  farther  injury,  Mr.  Oliver  declared 
his  intention  to  resign,  when  the  people  desisted  from  mo 
lesting  him. 

23.  Several  days  afterwards,  a  mob  beset  t.lio  house  of  Mr. 
Story,  an  officer  of  the  detested  admiralty  court.    They  broke 
his  windows,  destroyed  his  furniture,  and  burned  his  papers 
They  then   proceeded  to  the   house  of  lieutenant-governoi 
Hutchinson,  by  whose  advice,  it  was  supposed,  the  stamp-ad 
had   been  passed.     Thoy  entered  it  by  force.     Himself,  hia 
wife,  and  children  fled.     His  elsgant  furniture  was  carried 
off  or  destroyed.     The  partitions  of  the  house  were  broken 
down,  and  the  next  morning  nothing  but  tho  bare  and  deso 
late  walls  remained. 

24.  When  intelligence  of  these  proceedings  reached  Now 
port,  in  Rhode  Island,  the  people  of  that  place  assembled 
and  committed  similar  outrages.    Two  houses  were  pillaged, 


132  REVOLUTION.  [17G5; 

and  the  stamp-distributer,  to  preserve  his  own,  was  obliged 
to  give  to  the  leader  of  the  exasperated  populace  a  written 
resignation  of  his  office.  In  Connecticut,  similar  commo 
tions  were  also  quieted  by  the  resignation  of  the  distributer 
of  stamps  for  that  colony. 

25.  In  New  York,  the  people  displayed  equal  spirit,  but 
loss  turbulence  and  rage.  The  obnoxious  act  was  printed, 
under  the  title  of  "  The  folly  of  England,  and  the  ruin  ot 
America,"  and  thus  exhibited  for  sale  in  the  streets.  At  an 
early  period,  the  stamp-distributer  prudently  resigned  his 
office  ;  and  when  the  stamped  paper  arrived,  it  was  deposited 
for  safe  keeping  in  the  fort.  A  mob  required  the  lieutenant- 
governor  to  place  it  in  their  hands.  He  refused ;  but,  terri 
fied  by  their  menaces,  consented  to  deliver  it  to  the  magis 
trates,  who  deposited  it  in  the  cuvy  hall.  Ten  boxes,  which 
afterwards  arrived,  were  seized  by  the  people,  and  committed 
to  the  flames. 

*2G.  So  general  was  the  opposition  to  the  law,  that  the 
stamp-officers,  in  allthe  colonies,  were  compelled  to  resign. 
In  Boston,  care  was  taken,  on  the  one  hand,  to  prevent  the 
.  recurrence  of  violent  proceedings,  and,  on  the  other,  to  keep 
in  full  vigor  the  spirit  of  resistance.  A  newspaper  was  es 
tablished,  having  for  its  device  a  snake  divided  into  as  many 
parts  as  there  were  colonies,  and  for  its  motto,  "  Join  or 
die."  Mr.  Oliver  was  required  to  resign  his  office,  with  more 
ceremony  and  solemnity,  under  a  large  elm,  which  had,  from 
the  meetings  held  under  it,  received  the  name  of  the  tree  ot 
liberty. 

27.  In  October,  the  congress  recommended  by  Massa 
chusetts,  convened  at  Now  York.  Delegates  from  six 
provinces  only  were  present.  Their  first  act  was  a  De 
claration  of  Rights,  in  whicli  they  asserted,  that  the  colo 
nies  were  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  liberties  of  natural 
born  subjects  within  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  the 
most  essential  of  which  were  the  exclusive  right  to  tax 
themselves,  and  the  privilege  of  trial  by  jury.  A  peti 
tion  to  the  king,  and  a  memorial  to  both  houses  of  par 
liament,  were  also  agreed  on  ;  -and  the  colonial  assemblies 
were  advised  to  appoint  special  agents  to  solicit,  in  con 
cert,  a  redress  of  grievances.  Tti  interest  the  people  of 
England  in  the  cause  of  the  colonies,  the  merchants  of 
New  York  directed  tht.ir  correspondents,  in  that  country, 
to  purchase  no  more  goods  until  the  stamp-act  should  bo 
repealed.  Imrnediatelv  after,  non-importation  agreements 
were  adopted  in  the  other  colonies,  and  associations  were 


1766  ]  REVOLUTION.  133 

organized  for  the  encouragement  of  domestic  manufactures. 
To  av.oid  the  necessity  of  stamps,  proceedings  in  the  courts 
of  justice  were  suspended,  and  disputes  were  settled  by 
arbitration. 

28.  In  the  mean  time,  an  entire  change  had  taken  place 
in  the  British  Cabinet,  and  a  proposition  to  repeal  the  stamp- 
act  was,  by  the  new  ministry,  laid  before  parliament.  An 
interesting  debate  ensued.  Mr.  Grenvillo,  the  late  prime 
minister,  declared,  that  to  repeal  the  act  under  existing  cir 
cumstances,  would  degrade  the  government,  and  encourage 
rebellion.  "  When,"  he  demanded,  "  were  the  Americans 
emancipated  ?  By  what  law,  by  what  reason  do  they  un 
gratefully  claim  exemption  from  defraying  expenses  incurred 
in  protecting  them  ?" 

2$/  William  Pitt,  he  who  had  wielded,  with  such  mighty 
effect,  the  power  of  England,  in  the  late  war,  rose  to  reply. 
Ho  regretted  that  he  had  not  been  able  to  attend  in  his  place, 
and  oppose  the  law  on  its  passage.  "  It  is  now  an  act  that 
has  passed.  I  would  speak  with  decency  of  every  act  of  this 
house  ;  but  I  must  beg  the  indulgence  of  this  house  to  speak 
of  it  with  freedom.  Assuredly  a  more  important  subject 
never  engaged  your  attention  ;  that  subject  only  excepted, 
when,  nearly  a  century  ago,  it  was  the  question  whether  you 
yourselves  were  bond  or  free  ? 

30.  "  Those  who  have  spoken   before  me,  with  so  much 
vehemence,  would  maintain  the  act  because  our  honor  de 
mands  it.    But  can  the  point  of  honor  stand  opposed  against 
justice,  against  reason,  against  right?     It  is  my  opinion  that 
England  has  no  right  to  tax  the  colonies.    At  the  same  time, 
I  assert  the  authority  of  this  kingdom  over  the  colonies  to 
be  sovereign  and  supreme,  in  every  circumstance  of  govern 
ment  and  legislation  whatsoever. 

31.  "  Taxation  is  no  part  of  the  governing  or  legislative 
power:     The  taxes  are   a  voluntary  gift  and   grant  of  the 
commons  alone  ;  when,  therefore,  in  this  house,  we  give  and 
grant,  we  give  and  gmnt  what  is  our  own.    But  in  an  Ame- 
riciin  tax,  what  do  we  do  ?     We,  your  majesty's  commons  of 
Great  Britain,  give  and  grant  to  your  majesty — what?    Our 
own   property  ?   No.     We   give  and  grant  to  your  majesty 
the  property  of  your  commons  in  America.    It  is  an  absurdity 
in  terms. 

32.  "  It   has    been    asked,    when   were    the    Americans 
emancipated  ?      But    I    desire    to    know    when    they  were 
made  slaves.     I  hear    it  said,  that    America    is  obstinate  ; 
America  is  almost  in  op:in  rebellion.     I  rejoice  that  Ame- 

J 


]34  REVOLUTION.  [1?6« 

rica  has  resisted.  Three  millions  of  people,  so  dead  to  all 
the  feelings  of  liberty  as  voluntarily  to  submit  to  bo  slaves, 
would  have  been  lit  instruments  to  make  slaves  of  our 
selves. 

33.  "  The   honorable  member  has  said,  for  he  is  fluent 
in  words  of  bitterness,   that   America    is  ungrateful.     H& 
boasts    of  his   bounties  towards    her.     But    are    not  these 
bounties  intended  finally  for  the  benefit  of  this  kingdom  T 
The  profits  of  Great  Britain,  from  her  commerce  with  the 
colonies;   are  two  millions  a  year.     This  is  the  fund  that 
carried  you  triumphantly  through  the  last   war.     The  es 
tates  that  were  rented  at  two  thousand  pounds  a  year,  se 
venty  years  ago,  are   at  three  thousand  pounds  at  present. 
You  owe  this  to  America.     This  is  the  price  she  pays  you 
for  protection. 

34.  "  A  great  deal  has  been  said  without  doors,  and  more 
than  is  discreet,  of  the  power,  of  the  strength  of  America. 

>Iii  a  good  cause,  on  a  sound  bottom,  the  forco  of  this  coun 
try  can  crush  America  to  atoms.  But  on  the  ground  of 
this  tax,  when  it  is  wished  to  prosecute  an  evident  injus. 
tice,  I  am  one  who  will  lift  my  hands  and  my  voice 
against  it.  In  such  a  cause,  your  success  would  be  do 
plorable  and  victory  hazardous.  America,  if  sho  foil, 
would  fall  like  the  strong  man.  She  would  embrace  tlte 
pillars  of  the  state,  and  pull  down  the  constitution  along 
with  her." 

35.  The  sentiments  of  this  great  statesman  prevailed  in 
parliament.     The  stamp-act  was  repealed ;  but  another  act 
was  passed  declaring  that  "-the  legislature  of  Great  Britain 
has  authority  to  make  laws  to  bind  the  colonies  in  all  cisw? 
whatsoever."     The  merchants  of  London  rejoiced  at  thin 
repeal.     They  had  felt  the  effects  of  the  colonial  non-impor 
tation   agreements,  and   dreaded   that  still  more    injurious 
consequences  would  follow* 

36.  But  far  greater  were  the  rejoicings  of  the  Ameri 
cans.     They  had  obtained  the  object  for  which   they  had 
contended.      They    regarded    the    declaratory    act    as    the 
mere    reservation    of  wounded    pride,  and   welcomed  with 
transport  the  opportunity  of  again  cherishing  thoir  former 

.  affection  for  the  laud  of  their  fathers.  The  assemblies  of 
several  colonies  voted  their  thanks  to  Mr.  Pitt,  and  to 
others  in  England,  who  had  supported  their  cause  ;  and 
that  of  Virginia  resolved  to  eroct  an  obelisk  to  their  ho- 
jior,  and  a  marblo  Btutuo  of  the  kiag,  as  a  memorial  of 
gratitude. 


176?.]  REVOLUTION.  135 

37.  By  the  people  of  New  England  and  New  York  less 
joy  was  felt  and  less  gratitude  displayed.     The  laws  impos. 
ing  duties  on  their  trade  were  still  in  force.     The  courts  of 
admiralty,  sitting  without  juries,  still  retained  jurisdiction  of 
all  revenue  causes.     Their  repeated  contests  with  their  go. 
vernors  had  weakened  their  attachment  to  the  nation  that 
appointed  them,  and  confirmed  their  republican  principles. 
They  still  remembered  the  past  and  entertained  suspicions 
of  ihe  future. 

38.  The  very  next  year  events  occurred  which  justified 
these  suspicions.     A  law  of  parliament,  which  remained  un- 
repealed,  directed  that  whenever  troops  should  be  marched 
into  any  of  the  colonies,  quarters,  rum,  arid  various  necessary 
articles,  should  be  provided  for  them,  at  the  expense  of  tho 
colony.     The   assembly  of  New  York  refused  obedience  to 
this   law,  considering  it  an   indirect  mode  of  taxing  them 
without  their  consent.     To  punish  this  disobedience,  parlia 
ment  immediately  suspended  the  authority  of  the  assembly. 
It  was  easily  seen   that  nothing  had   been   gained,  if  this 
power  of  suspension,  for  such  a  cause,  existed,  and  could  be 
exorcised  at  pleasure. 

39.  The  alarm,  occasioned  by  this  act  of  despotic  power, 
was  increased   by  a  measure,   which,   under  the    auspices 
of  a  new  ministry,  was  adopted  in  Juno,  1767.    A  duty  was 
imposed  by  parliament  on  the  importation  into  the  colonies, 
of  glass,  tea,  and  other  enumerated  articles,  an.d  provision 
was  made  for  the  appointment  of  commissioners  of  the  cus 
toms  to  be  dependent  solely  on  the  crown. 

40.  Early  in  the  next  year,  the  general  court  of  Massa 
chusetts,  pursuing  the  same  course  as  in  1764,  addressed  a 
letter  to  their  agent  in  London,  containing  able  arguments 
against  those  duties,  and  requested  him  to  communicate  the 
letter  to  the  ministry.     They  also  sent  to  the  other  colonial 
assemblies  a  circular  letter,  in  which  these  arguments  were 
repeated,  and  suggested  the  expediency  of  acting  in  concert, 
in  all  endeavors  to  obtain  redress. 

41.  These  proceedings  incensed  and  alarmed  the  ministry. 
They  feared  that  a  union  of  the  colonies  would  give  them 
strength  and  confidence,  and  determined,  if  possible,  to  pre 
vent  it.     They  instructed  sir  John  Bernard,  then  governor 
of  Massachusetts,  to  require  the  general  court  to  rescind  the 
vote  directing  the  circular  letter  to  be  sent,  and  in  case  of 
refusal  to  dissolve   it.     The  governor  communicated  these 
instructions  to,  the  house  of  representatives,  which,  by  a  voto 


136  REVOLUTION.  [1768 

of  ninety-two  to  seventeen,  refused  to  rescind,  and  was  ac 

cordingly  dissolved. 

42.  The  attempt  to  intimidate  did  but  strengthen  opposi 
tion.  The  non-importation  agreements,  which  had  been 
lately  abandoned,  were  renewed,  and  more  extensively  adop 
ted.  The  citizens  of  Boston  met,  and  proposed  that  a  con- 
vention  of  delegates  from  the  several  towns  in  the  province, 
should  be  held  at  that  place.  Nearly  every  town  accord 
ingly  sent  delegates.  This  convention,  though  it  disclaimed 
all  legal  authority,  was  regarded  with  the  same  respect  as  a 
legitimate  assembly.  Its  proceedings  were  unimportant, 
but  by  its  sessions  in  the  metropolis  of  New  England,  the 
people  became  accustomed  to  pay  deference  to  a  body  of 
men  deriving  all  their  authority  from  the  instructions  of 
their  constituents. 

!•*•  43.  On  so  many  occasions  had  the  refractory  spirit  of 
the  citizens  of  Boston  been  displayed,  that  general  Gage, 
who  was  commander-in-chief  of  all  the  troops  in  the  co 
Ionics,  was  ordered  to  station  a  regiment  in  that  town,  as 
well  to  overawe  'the  citizens,  as  to  protect  the  officers  of 
the  revenue  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty.  Before  the 
order  was  executed,  the  seizure  of  a  sloop  belonging  to 
Mr.  Hancock,  a  popular  leader,  occasioned  a  riot,  in  which 
those  officers  were  insulted  and  beaten.  The  general,  on 
receiving  information  of  this  event,  sent  two  regiments  in 
stead  of  one,  and  on  the  first  of  October  they  arrived  in  the 
harbor.  , 

44.  The   ships  that  brought  them,  taking  a  station  thai 
commanded    the    whole    town,    lay    with    their    broadsides 
towards  it,    ready   to   fire   should   resistance    be    attempted. 
The    troops,    with    loaded    muskets    and    fixed    bayonets, 
then  landed  ;  and,  tho  selectmen  having  refused  to  provide 
quarters,  they  took  possession   of  the  stale-house.     All  the 
rooms,   except   one  reserved    for    the    council,  were    filled, 
and   two  pieces  of  cannon  were  placed  near  the  principal 
entrance. 

45.  With   indignant  and  exasperated  feelings,  the  people 
witnessed   this  threatening  display  of  military  force.     They 
saw  the  hall  of  their  venerated  legislature  polluted  by  the 
tread  of  foreign  mercenaries.     They  saw  soldiers  parading 
their  streets,    and    guards  mounted  at  the   corners.     They 
were  challenged    as  they  passed,    and  the    unwelcome   din 
of    martial    music    often    disturbed    their    repose.      They 
knew 'that  intimidation  was  the  object,  and  felt  a  stronger 


1769.]  REVOLUTION.  137 

determination  to  resist  than  had  before  animated  their  bo. 
goms. 

40.  Resolutions,  in  the  mean  time,  had  been  adopted  in 
parliament,  censuring,  in  the  strongest  terms,  the  conduct 
of  the  people  of  Massachusetts,  and  directing  the  governor 
to  m;.ke  strict  inquiry,  as  to  all  treasons  committed  in  that 
province,  since  the  year  1767,  in  order  that  the  persons 
most  active  in  committing  them  might  be  sent  to  England 
for  trial. 

47.  These   resolutions    rendered    it   sufficiently   evident 
that  Great  Britain  had  determined  to  adhere  to  the  system 
of  measures  she  had  adopted.     In  May,   they  were  taken 
into  consideration  by  the   house   of  burgesses  of  Virginia. 
In  sundry  resolutions,  they  reasserted  the  right  of  the   co 
lonies    to    be  exempted    from    parliamentary  taxation,  and 
declared  that  seizing  persons   in  the  colonies,,  suspected  of 
having  committed  crimes  therein,  and  sending  them  beyond 
sea  to  bs  tried,  violated  the   rights  of  British   subjects,  as 
lit  deprived  them  of  the  inestimable  right  of  being  tried  by 
%  jury  of  the  vicinage,  and  of  producing  witnesses  on  their 
trial. 

48.  While  these   resolutions  were  under  discussion,  the 
house,  apprehensive  of  an  immediate  dissolution  should  the 
subject  of  their  deliberations  be   known   to  the  governor, 
closed  their  doors.     The  instant  they  were  opened,  a  mes 
sage  was  announced,  requesting  their  attendance  before  him. 
"  Mr.  Speaker,"  said  he,   "  and  gentlemen  of  the  house  of 
burgesses,  I  have  heard  of  your  resolves,  and   augur   ill  of 
their  effects.     You  have  made  it  my  duty  to  dissolve  you, 
and  you  are  dissolved  accordingly." 

49.  This,  like  every  previous  measure  of  intimidation,  ex 
cited  to  a  still  higher  degree  the  spirit  of  opposition.     The 
members  assembled  at  a  private  house,  elected  their  speaker 
to  preside   as  moderator,   and   unanimously  formed   a  non 
importation  agreement  similar  to  those  previously  adopted  at 
the   north.     In   a  few  weeks,  the   example  of  Virginia  was 
followed  by  most  of  the  southern  colonies. 

50.  To  the  citizens  of  Boston,  the  troops  quartered  among 
them  were  a  painful  and  irritating  spectacle.     Quarrels  oc 
curring  daily  between  them  and  the  populace,  increased  tho 
animosity  of  each  to  ungovernable  hatred.     At  length,  on 
the  evening  of  the  fifth  of  March,  an   affray  took  place  in 
King. street,  [since  called  State-street,]  in  which  a  detach 
ment  of  the  troops  commanded  by  captain  Preston,  after 

12*, 


J33  REVOLUTION.  [1770. 

being  insulted,  pelted  with  snow-balls,  and  dared  to  fire, 
discharged  their  muskets  upon  the  multitude,  killing  four 
persons  and  wounding  others. 

51.  The  drums  were  instantly  beat  to  arms,  and  several 
thousand  people  assembled,  who,  enraged  by  the  sight  of  the 
dead  bodies  of  their  fellow  citizens,  slain  in  a  cause  de  ir  to 
them  all,  prepared  to  attack  a  larger  detachment,  which  had 
been  sent  to  support  their  comrades.     In  this  state  of  excite- 
ment,  they  were  addressed  by  lieutenant-governor  ;Hutchin- 
:  on,  who  appeared  in  the  rnidst  of  them.    Though  personally 
obnoxious,  he  calmed  their  fury,  and  prevailed  upon  them  to 
disperse  until  morning. 

52.  The  next  day,  captain  Preston  and  his  party  were  ar 
rested  and  committed  to  prison.     The  citizens  met  and  op 
pointed  a  committee  to  demand  the   immediate  removal  of 
the  troops  from  the  town.     At  this  meeting  Samuel  Adams, 
an  inflexible  patriot,  was  distinguished  for  his  decision  and 
boldness.     After  some   hesitation,  on   the   part  of  the  com 
manding  officer,  they  were  sent  to  castle  William,  and  were 
accompanied  by  several  officers  of  the  customs  who  dreaded 
the  indignation  of  the  people. 

53.  Three  days  afterwards,  the  funeral  of  the   deceased 
took  place.     It  was  conducted  with  great  pomp,  and  unu 
sual    ceremonies,    expressive    of  the    public    feeling.     The 
shops   were    closed.     Tiie    bells   of   Boston,    Roxbury,  antl 
Charlestown  were  tolled.     Four   processions,  moving  from 
different  parts  of  the  town,  met  at  the  fatal  spot,  and   pro* 
ceeded  thence  towards  the  place  of  interment.     This  united 
procession  comprised  an  immense  number  of  people  on  foot 
and  in  carriages,  all  displaying  the  deepest  grief  and  indig 
nation.     The   bodies   were  deposited   together  in  the  same 
vault. 

54.  When  the  passions  of  the  people  had  in  some  degree 
subsided,  captain   Preston  and  his  soldiers  were  brought  to 
tri:il.     They  were    defended    by -John    Adams    and    Josiah 
Quiucy.  two  able  lawyers,  and  distinguished  leaders  of  the 
popular   party.     For  nearly  six  weeks,  the   court  were  em 
ployed  in  examining  witnesses,  and  in  listening  to  the  argu 
ments  of  counsel.     C  ipt  (in  Preston,  not  having  ordered  his 
men  to  fire,  was  acquitted  by  the  jury.     Of  the  soldiers,  six 
were  also  acquitted,  there  being  no   positive  testimony  that 
they  firod  upon  the  people  ;  and  two  wore  acquitted  of  mur 
der,  as   great   provocation    was   off-rod,  but   found   guilty  of 
manslaughter — a  result   evincing  the   integrity  of  the  jury 


1775.]  REVOLUTION.  IB 

and  the  magnanimity  and  uprightness  of  the  counsel  for  the 
accused. 

55.  While  these  eve'hts  were  occurring  in   the   colonies, 
an  attempt,  supported  by  the  -prune  minister,  was  made  in 
England,  to   repeal  all   the   laws  for  raising   a   revenue   in 
America.     The  parliament,  with  a  mixture  of  timidity  and 
obstinacy,  characteristic  of  the  councils  of  the  nation  at  that 
period,  relinquished  all  the  duties  but  that  en  tea,  and  this 
they  unwisely  retained  to  assert  and  display  their  supremacy 
Over  the  colonies. 

56.  This  partial  repeal  produced  no  change  in  the  sL-nti 
merits    of    the    people.     By    rendering    the    contest    moro 
clearly  a  contest  of  principle,  it  sanctified  their  conduct  in 
their  own  view,  and  ennobled  it  in  that  of  the  world.     Tho 
non-importation   agreements,    however,   were   made    to  cor- 
respond   witli    the   altered    law.     rl>a   only   was   to    be   ex 
eluded  from  the  country  ;  and  this  article  of  luxury  was  ba 
nished  from  the -tables  of  all  who  were  fricmdly  to  Americar- 
rights. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
REVOLUTION. 

TUF.  years  1771  and  1772  were  not  distinguished  by  any 
Important  event.  The  southern  colonies,  more  agricultural 
than  commercial,  suffered  but  little  from  the  operation  of  the 
laws  of  trade,  and,  having  mostly  popular  governors,  conti 
nued  tranquil.  In  Massachusetts,  various  causes  contri 
buted  to  increase  the  discontent  which  previously  existed. 
Governor  Hutchinson,  having  adjourned  the  general  court 
to  Salem,  refused,  notwithstanding  reiterated  remonstrances, 
to  permit  them  to  return  to  Boston.  He  withdrew  the  pro 
vincial  troops  from  the  castle  and  supplied  their  place  with 
regulars,  as  the  British  troops  were  then  called.  He  de 
clined  receiving  his  salary  from  the  colonial  treasury,  stating 
'that  his  majesty  had  assigned  to  him,  and  also  to  the  judges, 
permanent  and  honorable  salaries,  to  be  paid  in  Great  Bri. 
tain.  These  measures  were  highly  unpopular,  and  ospc« 
cially  the  last,  which  released  those  officers  from  all  depend, 
ence  on  the  people.  , 

2.  To  ascertain    the    sentiments   of  the  inhabitants ;    to 


¥#'  REVOLUTION.  [1-773. 

e.nliorUts?i  the  remotest  parts  of. the  province  by.  diffusing  in- 
wjlligence,  and  distributing  political  essays  ;  and  to  produce 
«o«  cert  in.  measures,  James.  Warren  and  Samuel >  Adams 
suggested  and  procured  the  appointment,  in  every  town,  of 
'Committees  of  correspondence.  By  the  agency  of  these,  re, 
solutions  and, addresses,  sometimes  inflammatory  and  always 
spirited,  were  speedily  cony.eyed  through  the  country,  arpus- 
24 1  g  tlie  attention  of  all  and  exhorting  to  perseverance  in  tho 
cause  of  liberty.  This  example  was  soon  after  followed  in 
other  colonies;  and  in  1773,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Vir- 
fjpni<\  asserr^ly,,  standing  committees  were  appointed,  by  tho 
Colonial,'  legislatures,  to  correspond  with  each  other.  This 
institution,  when  more  active  opposition .  became  necessary, 
Was  found  extremely  useful. 

3}.  In  this  year,  Dr.  Franklin  obtained  in  London  a  num. 
flier -of  original  letters  from  governor  Hutcbinson,  lieutenant* 
governor  Oliver  and  others,  to  their  correspondents  in  par, 
liamcnti  In  these  letters,  the  opposition  in  Massachusetts 
was  stated  to  be  confined  to  a  few  factious  individuals,  who 
had  been  emboldened  by  the  weakness  of  the  means  used  to 
:ips  tr.n  in  them.  Measures  more  vigorous  were  recommended  : 
ivjid  Ike  ministry  were  urged  to  take  from  the  people  and 
exorcise  themselves  the  power  of  appointing  counsellors 
and  all  colonial  magistrates.  These  letters  he  transmitted 
tp,  Boston. 

4.  The  source  and  occasion  of  the  offensive  proceedings 
of  parliament  were  now  disclosed.     The  passions  of  the  peo 
ple  were  highly  inflamed,  and  the  weight  of  popular  indig 
nation  fell  upon  the   authors  of  these  letters.     The  centra.! 
committee  of  correspondence,  at  Boston,  sent  printed  copies, 
enclosed,  in  a  spirited,  circular,  to  all  the  towns  in  the  pro 
vince,     And  the  general,  court,  in  several  resolutions  which 
were  also   published;  animadverted   witli  severity  upon  tho 
misrepresentations  and  advice  contained  in  the  letters,  thus 
increasing  the  irritation  which  their  discovery  and  perusal 
llad  occasioned. 

5.  Meanwhile  tho  tea  of  the   East  India  Company,  not 
finding  a  market  in  America,  accumulated  in  their  ware. 
Bouses  in   England.     Encouraged  by  the  government,  they 
resolved  to  export  it  on  their  own  account,  and    appointed 
consignees  in  the  various  seaports   in  the  colonies.     Tboso 
i'n    Philadelphia  were    induced,   by  the  disapprobation    ex- 
pressed  by  the  citizens,  to  decline  their  appointment.     In 
New    York,   spirited    handbills   were    circulated    menacing 
^Hji  ruin  every  person  who  shpuld  be  .concerned  in  vending 


[1773.  REVOLUTION.  141 

tea,  and  requiring  the  pilots,  at  their  peril,  not  to  conduct 
ships,  loaded  with  that  article,  into  the  harbor.  Intimidated 
by  these  proceedings,  the  captains  of  the  tea  ships,  bound  to 
tho<e  ports,  returned  with  their  cargoes  to  England. 

G.  I;i  Boston,  inliamm itory  handbills  were  also  circulated, 
and  meetings  held;  but  the  consignees,  being  mostly  rela 
tives  of  the  governor,  and  relying  on  his  support,  refused  to 
decline  their  appointments.  Their  refusal  enraged  the  cili* 
zens,  and  tho  co;mnunity  became  agitated  by  the  operation 
of  highly  excited  passions.  Meetings  were  more  frequently 
held.  Tha  co.nmiUees  of  correspondence  were  every  where 
active.  The  people  of 'the  country  exhorted  their  brethren 
in  Boston  to  act  worthy  of  their  former  character,  worthy  of 
"Sons  of  Liberty,"  upan  whose  conduct, 'in  the  present 
emergency,  every  thing  depended. 

7.  On  the  29th  of  November,  a  ship,  laden  with  tea,  came 
into  the  harbor.  Notifications  wen;  immediately  posted  up, 
inviting  every  friend  to  his  country  to  meet  forthwith  and 
concert  united  resistance  to  the  arbitrary  measures  of  Bri 
tain.  A  crowded  meeting  was  held,  and  a  resolution  adopt 
ed,  "  that  the  tea  should  not  be  landed,  that  no  duty  should 
be  paid,  ai^i'tlmt  it  should  be  sent  back  in  the  same  vessel.'5 
A  watch  was  also  organized  to  prevent  it  from  being  secretly 
brought  on  shore. 

S,  A  short  time  was  then  allowed  for  the  captain  to  pre 
pare  to  return  home  with  his  cargo.  Governor  Hutchinsoti 
refused  to  grant  him  the  requisite  permission  to  pass  the 
castle.  Other  vessels,  laden  with  tea,  arrived.  The  agita 
tion  increased,  and  on  the  18th  of  December,  the  inhabitants 
of  Boston  and  the  adjoining  towns  assembled  to  determine 
what  course  should  be  pursued.  At  this  important  meeting, 
JonihQuincy,  desirous  that  the  consequences  of  the  mea 
buros  to  be  adopted  should  be  first  seriously  contemplated, 
thus  addressed  his  fellow  citizens. 

9.  "It  is  not,  Mr.  Moderator,  the  spirit  that  vapors  within 
these  walls  that  will  sustain  us  in  the  hour  of  need.  The 
proceedings  of  this  day  will  call  forth  events  Which  will 
make  a  very  different  spirit  necessary  for  our  salvation. 
Whoever  supposes  that  shouts  and  hosannas  will  'termi 
nate  our  trials,  entertains  a  childish  fancy.  We  mt:st  bo 
grossly  ignorant  of  the  Value  of  the  prize  for  which  wfe 
contend  ;  \vf.  must  be  equally  ignorant  of  the  power  of  those 
who  have  combined  against  us";  ^ve  must  be  blind  to  'that 
inveterate  malice  and  insatiable ' revenge  which  actuate  our 
enemies,  abroad  and  in  oiir  bosom,  to  hope  that  v;e  shall 


MS  REVOLUTION.  [1774, 

end  till?  controversy  without  the  sharpest  conflicts-- — or  to, 
itatter  ourselves  thai  popular  resolves,  popular  harangues, 
g.nd  popular  acclamations,  will  vanquish  our  foes..  Let  u# 
consider  the  issue  ;  let  us  look  to  the  end  ;,  let  us  weigh  and 
deliberate,  before  we  advance  to  those  measures  which  must 
bring  on  the  most  trying  and  terrible  struggle  this  country 
ever  s?jw." 

10.  In  the  evening  the  question  was  put,  "Do  you  abide 
by  }Tour  former  resolution  to  prevent  the  landing  of  the  tea  ?."• 
The  vote  was  unanimous   in  the  affirmative.     Application 
was  again  made  to  the  governor  for  a  pass..    After  a  short 
chilay,  his  refusal  was  communicated   to  the  assembly.     In- 
jftantly  a  person,   disguised   like   an   Indian,  gave  the  war 
whoop  from,  the  gallery.     At  this  signal,  the  people  rushed 
out.  of  the  house  and  hastened  to  the  wharves.     About  twen* 
ty  persons,  in  the  dress  of  Mohawks,  boarded  the  vessels,  and, 
protected  by  the  crowd  on  shore,  broko  open  three  hundred 
and  forty-two  chests  of  tea,  and  emptied  their,  contents  into, 
the  ocean,     Their  purpose  accomplished,  the  multitude  re 
turned  without  tumult,  to  their,  habitations. 

11.  These  proceedings  excited  the  anger  of  parliament 
q.nd   the    displeasure    of  tfye    British  nation.     Punishment, 
.not    a  change  of  measures,   was  resolved   upon.     An  act, 
closing  the  port  of  Boston,  and  removing  the  custom-house 
to  Salem,  was  passed*  and  was  to  continue  in  force  until 
compensation  should  be  made  for  the  tea  destroyed  ;  another 
act  was   passed,  taking  from  the  general   court  and  giving 
to    the    crown    the    appointment    of  counsellors  ;    arid    ge 
neral  Gage  was.  made  governor  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Hutch, 
in  son. 

12.  IntelliffejMje  of  the  Boston  pert-bill  occasioned  a  inert.,.. 
tng  of  the  citizens  of  the  town  ;  they  were  sensible  that  "  the 
most  trying  and  terrible  struggle"  was  indeed  now  approach. 
ing,  but   felt   unawed   by  its   terrors.     They  sought  not  to 
^belter  themselves  from  the  storm  by  submission,  but  became 
nior-e  resolute  as  it  increased.     Thoy  declared  the  act  to  bo 
unjust  and  inhuman,,  and  invited  their  brethren  in  the  other 
Qolonies   ta  unite  w.ij-h.  them  in   a  general  non-importation, 
agreement. 

"13.  A  similar  spirit  pervaded  and  animated  the  wholfc 
Country.  Addresses  from  the  adjacent  towns,  and  from  every, 
part  of  the  continent,  were  sent,  to  the  citizens  of  Boston, 
$p[»Inuding  their  resolution,  exhorting  them  to  perseverance, 
g.nd  assuring  them  that  they  were  considered  as  suffering  in 
use..  In  Virginia,  the  first,  day  of  '4 imp,,  whoa 


1774.]  REVOLUTION.  143 

the  law  began  to  operate,  was  observed  as  a  public  and  so* 
lenin  fast.  With  devout  feelings,  the  divine  interposition 
was  implored,  in  all  the  churches,  to  avert  the  evils  of  civil 
war,  and  to  give  to  the  people  one  heart  and  one  inind^ 
firmly  to  oppose  every  invasion  of  their  liberty. 

14.  The  same  day  was  observed,  with  similar  solemn  ity^ 
in  most  of  the  other  colonies  ;  and  thus  an  opportunity  was 
presented  to  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  to  dispense  political 
instruction,  to   paint,  in  vivid  colors,  the  sufferings   of  tte 
titifcens  of  Boston,  and  to  warn  their  congregations,  that., 
should  Great  Britain  succeed  in  her  schemes,  the  danger  tx> 
their  religious  would  be  as  great  as  to  their  civil  privileges  \ 
that  a  tame  submission  to  the  will  of  parliament  would  inevU 
tably  be  followed  by  bishops,  tithes,  test  acts,  a,nd  eCclesiaih 
ticai  tribunals. 

15.  The  sufferings  of  the  inhabitants  of  Bost.bn  were  in 
deed  severe.     Nearly  all  were  compelled  to  be  idle.     Many, 
by  loss  of  employment,  lost  their  sole  means  of  support,     la 
this  extremity,  contributions  in  money  and  provisions  w^fe 
forwarded  to  them  from  all  the  colonies,  as  proofs  of  isynu 
pathy  in  their  distresses   and  of  approbation  cf  {.heir  hav* 
ing  met  and  manfully  withstood  the  first  shock  of  arbitrary 
power, 

10.  Gradually  and  constantly  had  the  minds  and  feelings 
of  the  Americans  been  preparing  far  this  important  crisis. 
That  enthusiastic  patriotism  which  elevates  tfje  soul  above 
all  considerations  of  interest  or  danger  had  now  become 
their  ruling  passion.  The  inhabitants  of  Salem  spurned 
advantages  to  be  derived  from  the  punishment  inflicted  on 
a  sister  town,  for  it.s  zeal  in  a  sacred  and  common-cans^. 
"  We  must,*'  said  they,  in  a  remonstrance  to  the  governof, 
"be  dead  to  every  idea  of  justice,  lost  to  all  feelings  of 
humanity,  coiild  we  indulge  one  thought  to  seize  on  wealth* 
and  raise  our  fortunes  from  the  ruin  of  our  suffering  neigh 
burs." 

17.  In  June,  the  general  court  assembled  at  Salem,  ;'fi$ 
among  their  first  acts  were,  the  recommendation  of  a 
continental  congress,  which  had  been  suggested  by  the 
committee  of  correspondence  in  Virginia,  and  the  choice 
of  delegates  to  attend  it.  While  engaged,  with  closed 
doors,  in  this  business,  governor  Gage,  who  had  received 
a  private  intimation  of  their  purposes,  dissolved  the  court 
by  a  proclamation  which  was  read  upon  the  steps.  In  all 
the  other  colonies,  except  Georgia,  delegates  wjre  u!s» 
c-hosen. 


144  REVOLUTION.  [1774. 

IP.  On  the  5th  of  September,  these  delegates  met  at  Phi- 
ladelphia.  Peyton  Randolph,  of  Virginia,  was  unanimously 
elected  president,  and  Charles  Thompson,  secretary.  It  was 
determined  that  each  colony  should  have  but  one  vote,  what- 
ever  might  b-3  the  number  of  its  deputies,  and  that  all  their 
transactions,  except  such  as  they  might  resolve  to  publish, 
should  be  kept  inviolably  secret. 

19.  Resolutions  were  then  adopted,  expressing  the  sym 
pathy  of  congress  in  the  sufferings  of  their  countrymen  in 
Massachusetts;  and  highly  approving  the  wisdom  and  forti 
tude  of  their  conduct.     They  also  resolved  that  the  importa 
tion  of  goods  from  Great  Britain  should  csase  on  the  first 
day  of  the  succeeding   December,  and  all  exports  to  that 
country  on  the  10i'.li  of  September,  1775,  unless  American 
grievances  should  be  sooner  redressed.     These  resolutions 
possessed  no  legal  force,  but  never  were  laws  more  faithfully 
observed. 

20.  In  other   resolutions,  they  enumerated  certain  rights, 
\vhicli,  as   men    and    English   subjects,  ""  they  claimed,   de- 
m-inded,  and  insisted   on  ;"  and   recounted  numerous  viola 
tions  of  those  rights  by  parliament.    Addresses  to  the  people 
of  (ireat  Britain,  to  the  inhabitants  of  Canada,  and  to  their 
Constituents,  w.ei'3   prepared  and   published  ;    and  an  affec 
tionate  petition  to  the  king  was  agreed  upon. 

21.  In  these  able  and  important  state  papers,  the  claims, 
principles,  and  feelings  of  their  constituents  are  clearly  and 
eloquently  sot  forth.     They  glow  with  the  love  of  liberty  ; 
they  display  a  determination,  too  firm  to  be  shaker,  to  de 
fend   and   preserve    it  at  every   hazard  ;   they   contain    the 
strongest  profef'sicns  of  attachment  to  the  mother  country, 
arid  of  loyalty  to  the  king.     A  desire  of  independence  is  ex 
pressly  disavowed.     "  Place  us,"~  says  the  congress,   "  in  the 
situation  we  wero  in,  at  the  close  of  the  last  war,  and  our 
former  harmony  will  ba  restored."     "We  ask,"  say  they  in 
iaeir  petition,  "but  for  peace,  liberty,  and. safety.    We  wish 
not  a  diminution  of  the  prerogative,  nor   do.  we  solicit  the 
grant  of  any  new  right  in  our  favor.     Your  royal  authority 
over  us,  and  our   connection  with   Great   Britain,  we  shall 
always    carefully   and    zealously  endeavor    to    support    and  . 
maintain." 

22.  These  papers,    going  forth   to  the  wo^ld,   made  the 
cause  of  the  colonies  known  throughout  Europe,  and  con 
ciliated  those  who,  had  embraced  liberal   principles  in  poli 
tics,  or  felt  displeasure  at.  the  pride  and  haughtiness  of  Bri 
tain.     Their  tone  of  rnaijly  energy,  and  the  knowledge  they 


S774]  REVOLUTION.  145 

displayed  of  political  science,  excited  universal  applause  and 
admiration, 

23.  "  When  your  lordships,"  said  Mr,  Pitt,  in  the  British 
senate,  "  have  perused  the  papers  transmitted  to  us  from 
America ;  when  you  consider  the  dignity,  the  firmness,  and 
the  wisdom,   with  which  the  Americans  have  acted,  you 
cannot  but  respect  their  cause.     History,  my  lords,  has  been 
my  favorite  study ;  and  in  the  celebrated  writings  of  anti 
quity  I   have  often   admired  the  patriotism  of  Greece  and 
Rome  ;  hut,  my  lords,   I  must  declare  and   avow,  that  in 
the  master  states  of  the  world,  I  knovr  not.  the  people  nor 
the  senate,  who,  in  such  a  complication  of  difficult  circum 
stances,  can  stand  in  preference  to  the  delegates  of  America 
assembled,   in   general   congress,   at    Philadelphia.     I  trust 
that  it  is  obvious  to  your  lordships,   that   all  attempts  to 
impose  servitude  upon  such  men,  to  establish  despotism  over 
Fuch  a  mighty  continental   nation,  must  be  vain,  must  be 
futile."  » 

24.  In  America,  the  proceedings  of  congress  were  read 
with  enthusiasm   and   veneration.      Their  reasoning's  con 
firmed   the   conviction,  strongly  felt    by  nearly  the  whole 
people,   of  the  perfect  justice  of  their  cause.     In  the  ad 
dress    to    theirasolviis,  they    were    admonished    "  to   extend 
their  views  to  mournful  events,  and  to  be  in  all   respects 
prepared  for  evory  contingency."     Groat  efforts  were  con- 
f-equsntly  made  to  provide   anus  azai   all   the   munitions  of 
Avar,    independent  companies  were  formed  ;  voluntary  train 
ings  were  frequent ;  the  old  and  the  young,  tire  rich   and 
the  poor,  devoted  their  hours  of  amusemont  and  of  leisure, 
t )  exercises  calculated  to  fit  them,  to  net  a  part,  in  the  ariti- 
rip.ited  conflict,     Tiie  country  was  alive  witli  the  hustle  of 
preparation,  and  in  evosy  countenance   could  be  road  the 
expectation   of  import? nt  transaction;?,   in  which  ail  must 
jp:irticipate» 

25.  Complete   unanimity,  however,  did  not  exist.     Some 
of  the  late    emigrants    from    England,  the    most  of  those 
who  hold  offices  by  her  appointment,  many  whose  timidity 
nugnined    her  power,   clung  to  her  authority,   and  as  the 
crisis     approached,    decUr^d    themselves     her     adherents. 
These    were   denominated    torbs  ;    the    friends   of   liberty, 
•wldgs — names  by  which   the  advocates  of  arbitrary  power, 
aw!  the  fri?nds  of  constitutional  liberty,- were  distinguished 
iia  England.  . 

i36.  Gonnral  Gage,  who  had  been  recently  appointed  pxv. 
vernor  of  Massachusetts,  withdrew,  from  other  posts  on  the 
13 


14G  DEVOLUTION  [1775*, 

continent,  several  regiments  ©f  troops,  and  emsamped1  them' 
on  the  common,  in  Boston.  He  afterwards  erected  fortifica 
tions  on  the  Neck,  a  narrow  isthmus  which  unites  the- town 
with  the  main  land  "r  and  on  the  night  of  the  iirst  of  Sep 
tember,  he  seized  the  powder  deposited  in  the  provincial5 
arsenal  at  Cambridge. 

27.  The  people,  meanwhile,,  were  not  idle.  They  ap 
pointed  delegates  to  a  provincial  congress,  which  assembled 
in  the  beginning  of  October-  Mr.  Hancock  was  chosen 
president,  and  the  delegates  resolved,  that,  for  the  defence 
of  the  province,  a  military  force-,  to  consist  of  one  fourth 
of  the  militia,  should  be  organized  and  stand  ready  to 
march  at  a  minute's  warning  ;  that  money  should  be  raised 
*o  pu-jsehase- military  stores  ;  and  they  appointed  a  committee 
of  supplies,  and  a  committed  of  safety,  to  sit  during:  the 
recess* 

26.  The  more  southern  provinces,  particularly  Pennsyl 
vania,  Virginia,  and:  Maryland,  displayed*the  same  love  of 
liberty  and  determination  to-  resist ;,  provincial  congresses 
«vere  convened,  committees-  appointed,  and  resolutions 
passed,  designed  and  adapted  to>  animate-  those  who,  in 
Massachusetts,  stood  in>  the  post  of  danger,  and  to  excite 
in  all  hearts  that  devotion  to >  country  which  is  alone  capa 
ble  of  sustaining  a  people  in  ai*  arduous  struggle  with  a 
superior  foo. 

20.  in  tlve  parliament  of  G^eat  Britain',  American  affairs 
came  on  to  be  discussed,  in  the  beginning,  of  the  year  1775. 
Several  plans  of  conciliation  were  brought  forward  by  the 
opposition  and  rejected  ;  but  oner  proposed  by  lord  North,, 
the  prime  minister,  was  adopted.  The  pin-port  of  it  was,, 
that  if  any  colony  would  engage  t&  contribute  a  sum  satis 
factory  to  his  majesty,  for  the  common  defence,  the  parlia 
ment  would  forbear  to  tax  that  colony  so  lon-gr  as  the  con 
tribution  wax  punctually  paid.  This  plan;  conceded  nothing.- 
To  weaken  the  colonies  by  dividing  them  was  so*  evi 
dently  the  object,  that  all  indignantly  spanned'  the  proffered- 
terms. 

30.  In  connection  with  this  conciliatory  proposition,  as 
it  was  called,  measures  of  punishment  and  intimidation  were 
adopted.     The  northern  colonies  wero  prohibited  from  fish 
ing  on  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  additional  restrictions 
wore   imposed   upon  the  trade   of  all  of  them,  and  several 
ships    of  the  line  and    ten   thousand  troops,   were-  »eat  to 
America. 

31.  In   the   debates  in    pailiament,    Che   friends   of  Ilia-' 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAIL  147 

'Colonies,  although  few,  were  animated  in  their  praise  and 
eloquent  in  their  defence-  The  adherents  -of  the  ministry 
indulged  in  the  -grossest  abuse  and  ridicule.  'The  Ameri 
cans,  they  -said,  were  naturally  cowards,  habitually  lazy, 
and  constitutionally  feeble;  they  were  incapable  of  disci 
pline.;  and  a  small  force  would  be  sufficient  to  conquer 
-them.  This  ignorance  of  their  character,  which  was  gene 
ral  throughout  England,  doubtless  caused  the  ministry  to 
persist  in  measures  which,  had  their  information  been  cor- 
U'ect,  they  would  newer  have  ventured  to  undertake. 

32.  On  the  evening  >of  the  18th  of  April,  general  Gage 
despatched  from  'Boston  a  bedy  of  eight   hundred  troops  to 
destroy    a  -quantity   of  provisions    and   military  stores   de 
posited  by  the  committee   of  supplies,  at  Concord-     Intel 
ligence    of    this   movement   was   sent    to    Lexington    and 
Concord   a  few  iaeurs   before  the   troops  embarked-     The 
ringing  of  bells  and  the  firing1  ef  ^signal  gnus  brought  the 
minute-men   together.     Early  the   next  morning,  those   of 
Lexington  assembled  on  the  green  near  the  meeting-house. 
A  few  minutes  afterwards,  the  advanced  body  of  the  regu 
lars    approached    within    musket    shot.      Major    Pitcairn, 
Tiding  -forward,   exclaimed,  "  Disperse,    you   rebels  ;  throw 
down    your    arms    arid    disperse."      Not    being    instantly 
obeyed,   he   discharged   his   pistol   and  ordered   hiis  men  to 
lire.     They  fired  and  killed  several.     The  militia  dispersed ; 
;but  the  firing  continued.     In   the  whole,  eight  were  killed, 
some  of  whom  wore  sh©t  in  their  concealment  behind  the 
fences. 

33.  The  detachment  proceeded  to  -Concord.    The  minute- 
men   of  that  town  had  also  assembled  4  but  being  few   in 
m  umber,   they    retired   on  the    approach   ef   the    regulars. 
These  entered  the   tevni  and  destroyed  the  provisions  and 
.stores.      The  minute-men  were    reinforced,   and  advanced 
again  towards  the  regulars.     A  skirmish  ensued,  in  which 
captain  3G)av>is,  of  Acton,  was  killed.     The   British  troops 
were    compelled   to   retreat,   leaving  behind   them   several 
Stilled  and  wounded. 

34.  The  whole  country  was  n?ow  in  arms,  and  the  troops 
retreated  with  precipitation.     The  militia  not  only  pressed 
aipon  their  rear,  kmi  placed  themselves  singly  behind  trees 
and  stone  wails,  and,  from  these  secure  coverts,  fired  upon 
them  as  they  passed.     At  Lexington  they  .met  a  reinforce 
ment  under  lord  Percy,  which  general  Gage  had  despatched 
-on   receiving  information  -of  ike  -oceurrejiees  there  in  the 


148  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775 

35.  After  resting  a  moment,  the  whole  body  proceeded 
towards  Boston.  In  their  progress  they  were  more  and 
more  harassed  by  the  provincials,  whose  nunAer  hourly 
increased,  and  who  became  in  proportion  more  adventurous. 
Having  an  intimate  knowledge  of  aH  the  roads,  they  could 
pursue  with  less  fatigue,  and  meet  the  enemy  unexpectedly 
at  the  various  windings ;  and  being  all  experienced  marks- 
men,  their  shots  seldom  failed  of  effect.  At  sunset,  tho 
regulars,  almost  overcome  with  fatigue,  passed  along 
Charlestown  Neck,  and  found,  on  Bunker's  Bill,  a  place  of 
security  and  repose, 

3G.  In  this  engagement,  sixty-five  of  the  royal  forces 
were  killed,  one  hundred  and  eighty  wounded,  and  twenty, 
eight  made  prisoners.  Of  the  provincials,  fifty  were  killed, 
thirty-four  were  wounded,  and  four  were  missing.  The- 
killed  were  lamented  and  honored  as  the  first  martyrs  in 
the  cause  of  liberty.  In  the  various  sections  of  country 
from  which  they  came,  hatred  of  Great  Britain  took  still 
deeper  root ;  and  New  England,  connected  more  than  any 
other  part  of  the  world,  as  one  great  family,  by  the  closest 
intimacy  of  all  the  inhabitants,  universally  feh  the  depriva 
tion  with  a  mixed  feeling  of  sorrow  and  rage. 

37.  Intelligence  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  spread  rapidly 
through  Massachusetts,  an-d  the  adjoining  provinces.     The 
farmer  left  his  plough  in  the  furrow,  the  mechanic  dropped 
the  utensil  in  his  hand,  and  seising  their  arms,  all  hastened 
to  the  environs  of  Boston.     In  a  lew  days,  a  large  army 
\vas    assembled,    which,    under   the    command   of    general 
Ward,  of  Massachusetts,  and  general  Putnam,  ©f  Connec 
ticut,  closely  invested  the  tow»,  and  alarmed  general  Gage 
for  the  safety  of  his  garrison. 

38.  In  the   remoter  provinces,  the  intelligence  was   con 
sidered  of  solemn  and   alarming   import.     The  great  drama 
was   opened,    and   the   part  which   each   should   take  must 
immediately  be   chosen.     By  many  a  resort   to-  arms   had 
never  been  anticipated.     To  them,  the  decision  was  more 
painful  ;  but   all   the  colonies,  except  Georgia,  adopted    at 
once  the  heroic  yese>lu>ti;Gn  to  unite  'their  fortunes  with  those 
of  New  England. 

3D.  Connecticut  had  poured  forth  her  full  proportion  of 
hardy  yeomanry  to  man  the  lines  around  Boston  ;•  but 
several,  who  remained  at  home,  conceived  the  project  of 
surprising  Ticonderoga,  a  fortified  post  on  the  western- 
shore  of  lake  Olvuyjplain,.  and  commanding  the  entrance- 
into  Canada.  They  communicated  their  design  to, 


a775.!j  EEVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  149 

Ethan  Mien,  -of  Vermont,  who,  upon  their  arrival  at  Cas- 
tleton,  with  forty  men,  met  them  there  at  the  head  of  two 
hundred  and  thirty  Green  Mountain  :b®ys.  The  next  day, 
captain  Benedict  Arnold,  of  Connecticut,  wlao,  upon  the 
first  alarm,  had  hastened  to  Boston,  arrived  from  that 
place,  hawing  conceived  the  «arne  project,  and  been  author 
ized,  hy  the  committee  of  safety  in  Massachusetts,  to  under, 
take  it. 

40.  AHei£  and  Arnold,  at  the  head  of  the  Green  Mountain 
(boys,   hastened  to  Ticonderoga,  and  the  remainder  of  the 
party  to  Skeeasbaroiigh.    On  the  night  ©f  tiic  ninth  of  May, 
about  eighty,  all  that  the  -boats  could  carry,  crossed  the  lake, 
and,  at  dawn  of  -day,  landed  near  the  fortress..     They  ad 
vanced  to  the  gateway.     A  sentinel  snapped   his  fusee  at 
'Colonel   Allen  and  retreated.    The  Americans    fallowing, 
found  the  commander  in  bed.     -Colonel  Allen  demanded  the 
-surrender  of  the  fbrt.     "  By  what  authority  do  you  demand 
at?"     "In  the  name,"  replied  Allen,   "of  the   Great  Jo  ho- 
wah   and  the  Continental  Congress.."    The   British  ofiicer, 
having  but  fifty  men,  saw  that  resistance  would  be  vain,  and 
.agreed  to  sutTender.. 

41.  When  the  remainder  of  the  party  arrived,  they  were 
^despatched,  under  colonel  Seth  Warner,  to  take  possession, 
of  'Crown  Point;  and  Arnold,  hastily  -maiming  a  schooner, 
-.sailed  to  capture  a  sloop  of  war  lying  at  the  outlet  <cf  the 
iake.      These    two    expeditions,    as   well    as    that    against 
"Skeensborough,   were   successful;    and  thus  v/as  ^obtained, 
without  blo@'ls'hed,  ttie  command  of  these  important  posts, 
together  with  mare  than  one  hundred  pieces  of  ca/rmcm,  and 
<other  munitions  ef  wax.     The  unexpected  news  xaf  this  bril 
liant  success,  imparted  high  -courage  a-&d  ammatiou  to  the 
Americans, 

42.  Most  of  the   militia,  who  had   repaired  to  Boston, 
returned  soon  after  t©  their  homes,  but  a  sufficient  number 
remained,    pested   near  the    Neck,  to   prevent   the  British 
from   leaving   the    town   by   land.     Betweea    detachments 
from  these  aiid  parties  of  regulars,  wlio  were  'often  sent  to 
^collect  fora/ge  on  the  islands  in  tlie  harbor,  frequent  skir 
mishes  took  place,  in  joost  of  whie'h  the  Americans  were 
successful. 

43.  In  the  beginning  .of  .Jisfie,  several  transports,  filled 
•with  troops,  •commanded  by   generals   Howe,  Canton,  and 
Surgoyne,  acrived  from  England,  and  general  -Gage  began 
to  act  with  more  decision   and  vigor.     He  issued  a  procla- 

declaring  thase  'in  arnm,  aiud  all  uljvo  aided  them, 
13  * 


150  REVOLUTIONARY*  WAR,  [1775. 

rebels  and  traitors,  and  threatened  to  punish  them  as  such, 
unless  they  immediately  returned*  to  their  peaceful  occu 
pations.  Ho  promised  his  majesty's-  pardon  to  all  who 
should  in  this  manner  give  proof  of  their  repentance  and 
amendment,  excepting  Samnel  Adams  and  John  Hancock, 
whose  crimes,  he  alleged,  were  too  flagitious  to  admit  of 
pardon. 

44.  This  proclamation,  and  the  arrival  of  the  troops,  far 
from  dismaying,  aroirsed  the  people  to  greater  activity  and 
•  watchfulness.  Again  the  militia  assembled  and  surrounded 
Boston.  Unwilling^  to  endure  the- inconvenience  and  disgrace 
of  this  confinement,  genera-i  Gaga  made  preparation  to  pe 
netrate,  with  a  portion  of  his  army,  into  the  country.  To 
prevent  this,  the  provincial  generals  resolved  to  occupy  Ban 
ker's  Hill,  an  eminence  in  Charlestown,  situated  on  a  penin 
sula  that  approaches  near  to-  Boston. 

4,5.  On  the  evening  of  the  !6th  of  Jane,  a  thousand  men-, 
under  the  command  of  colonel  Prescot,  of  Massachusetts, 
colonel  Stark,  fronrNew  Hampshire,  and  captain  Knowlton, 
from  Connecticut,  were  despatched  on  this  service.  They 
were  conducted,  by  mistake,  to  Breed's  Hill,  which  was 
nearer  to  the  water  and  to  Boston,  than  Bunker's.  At  twelve- 
o'clock  they  began  to  throw  up- entrenchments,  and  by  dawn 
of  day  had  completed  a  redoubt  eight  rods  square.  As  soon 
as  they  were  discovered,  they  were  fired  upon  from  a  ship  of 
war  and  several  floating  batteries  lying  near,  and  from  a  for 
tification  in  Boston  opposite  the  redoubt.  The  Americans,, 
nevertheless,  encouraged  by  general  Putnam,  who-  often  vis 
ited  them  on  the  hill,  continued  to  labor  until  they  had' 
finished  a  slight  breastwork  extending  from  the  redoubt 
eastward  to  the  water.  And  m  the-  morning  they  received  a 
reinforcement  of  five  hundred  men. 

46.  The   temerity  of  tire   provincials  astonished   and   in 
censed  general  Gage,  and  he  determined  to  drive  them  imme 
diately  from  their  position.     About  noon,  a  body  of  three 
thousand  regulars,  commanded  by  general   Howe,  left  Bos 
ton  in   boats,  and  landed   in   Charlestown,    at  the  extreme 
point  of  the  peninsula.  Generals  Clinton  and  Bnrgoyne  took 
their  station  on  an  eminence  in   Boston-,  eomroanding  a  dis 
tinct  view  of  the  hill.     The  spires  of  the  churches,  the  roofs 
of  the  houses,  and1  all  the  heights  in  the  neighborhood,  were 
covered  with  people,  waiting,  m  dreadful  anxiety,  to  witness 
the  approaching  battle. 

47.  The    regulars,    forming    at    the    place    of   landing, 
marched  ^slowly  up   the    hill,  halting-   frequently  to- 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  151 

time  to  the  artillery  to  demolish  the  works.  While  ad 
vancing,  the  village  of  Charlestown,  containing  about  four 
hundred  houses,  was  set  on  fire  by  order  of  general  Gage. 
The  flames  ascended  to  a  lofty  height,  presenting  a  sublime 
and  magnificent  spectacle.  The  Americans  reserved  their 
fire  until  the  British  were  within  ten  rods  of  the  redoubt ; 
then,  taking  a  steady  aim,  they  began  a  furious  discharge. 
Entire  ranks  of  the  assailants  fell.  The  enemy  halted, 
and  returned  the  fire ;  but  that  from  the  redoubt  continuing 
incessant,  and  doing  great  execution,  they  retreated  in  haste 
and  disorder  down  the  hill,  some  even  taking  refuge  in  their 
boats. 

48.  The  officers  were   seen  running  hither  and  thither, 
collecting,  arranging,  and   addressing  their  men,  who  were 
at  length  induced  again  to  ascend  the  hill.     The  Americans 
now  reserved  their  fire  until  the  the  enemy  had  approached 
even  nearer  than  before,  when  a  tremendous  volley  was  at 
once  poured  upon  them.     Terrified   by  the   carnage  around 
them,  they  again  retreated  with  precipitation,  and  such  was 
the  panic,  that  general  Howe  was  left  almost  alone  on  the 
hill  side,  his  troops  having  deserted  him,  and  nearly  every 
officer  around  him  being  killed. 

49.  At  this  moment,  general  Clinton,  who  had   observed 
from  Boston  the  progress  of  the  battle,  feeling  that  British 
honor  was  at  stake,  hastened  with  a  reinforcement  to  the  as- 
sistancc  of  his  countrymen.     By  his  exertions,  the   troops 
were  a  third  time  rallied,  and  were  compelled  by  the  officers, 
who  marched  behind  them  with  drawn  swords,  to  advance 
again  towards  the  Americans.     The  fire  from  the  ships  and 
batteries  was  redoubled,  and  a  few  pieces  of  cannon  had  been 
so  placed  as  to  rake  the  interior  of  the  breastwork  from  end 
to  end. 

50.  The    provincials,    having    expended    their    ammuni 
tion,    awaited    in    silence    the    approach    of   the    regulars. 
The  latter  entered  the   redoubt.      The   former,  having  no 
bayonets,   defended  themselves,  for  a    short  time,  with  the 
butt  end  of  their    muskets.     From   this    unequal    contest, 
they  were   soon    compelled    to    retire.     As    they  retreated 
over  Charlestown   Neck,  the  fire  from   the  floating  batte 
nes   was    incessant;    but,   providentially,    a   few  only  wero 
killed.     The  enemy  had  sustained  too  much  injury  to  think 
of  pursuit. 

51.  In  this  desperate  and  bloody  conflict,  the  royal  forces 
consisted,  as   has  been  stated,  of  three  thousand  men,  and 
the  provincials  of  but  'fifteen  hundred.     Of  the  former,  6110 


152  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775. 

thousand  and  fifty-four  were  killed  and  wounded-;,  of  the 
latter,  four  hundred  and  fifty-three.  Tins  disparity  of  loss, 
the  steadiness  and  bravery  displayed  by  their  recent,  undis 
ciplined  levies,  occasioned  among  the  American?  the  highest 
exultation,  and.  in  their  view,  more  than  counterbalanced 
the  loss  of  position.  If  this  is  a  British  victory,  how  many 
such  victories,  they  triumphantly  asked,  can  their  army 
achieve  without  ruin  1 

52.  But  deep  arid  heart-felt  sorrow  was  intermingled  with 
their  rejoicings.     Among  the  killed  was  doctor  Warren,  a 
patriot,  who,  at  an  early  period,  had  espoused  with  warmth 
the  cause   of  freedom  ;  who  had  displayed  great  intrepidity 
in    several   skirmishes ;  had  four  days  before  been  elected 
major-general;  and  had,  on  the  fatal  day,  hastened   to  the 
field  of  battle,  to  serve  his  country  as  a  volunteer.     For  his 
many  virtues,  his  elegant  manners,   his  generous  devotion 
to    his  country,    his  high  attainments  in    political  science, 
he  was  beloved  and  respected  by  his  republican  associates ; 
and  to  him  their  affections  pointed  as  a  future  leader,  in  a 
cause  dear  to  their  hearts,  and  intimately  connected  with 
their  glory. 

53.  In  the  midst  of  these  military  transactions,  a  conti 
nental  congress  assembled  at  Philadelphia.      It   comprised 
delegates  from  twelve  colonies,  all  of  whom  were  animated 
with  a  determined  spirit  of  opposition  to  parliamentary  taxa 
tion.     A  majority,  however,  had  not  yet  formed  the  hardy 
resolution  to  separate  from  the  mother  country,  and  aim  at 
independence.     The  measures  partook   of  the  opposite  feel- 
ings  of  the  members.     Mr.  Hancock,  the  proscribed  patriot, 
was  chosen  president;    they  resolved   that  another  humble 
petition  for  redress  of  grievances,  should  be  presented  to  the 
king  ;  but  they  also  resolved  that  means  of  defence  should  be 
immediately  prepared,  and   proceeded   to  the  choice  of  offi 
cers  to  command  their  united  forces. 

54.  To  induce    the    friends    of   liberty  in    the    southern 
provinces  to  embark  more  warmly  in  the  cause  of  resist 
ance,    the    northern    delegates    determined    to    give    their 
suffrages,  for    a    commander-in-chief,  to  a  person  residing 
in    that    quarter.     Fortunately,  one  was    found    eminently 
qualified  for  the  office.     By   unanimous    vote    of   the  con 
gress,  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  then  present  as  delegate  from 
Virginia,  was  elected.     He  had  served,  with   high  reputa 
tion,  in  the  late  war  with    France ;    was    distinguished  in 
his  native  province  for   his   military  knowledge,   his   great 
wealth,    the    dignity  of  his   deportment,    his   unsuspected 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  153 

integrity,  and  his  ardont  attachment  to  the  interests  of  his 
country, 

55.  The  president,  addressing  him  in  his  seat,  announced 
to  him  the  choice  which  the  congress  had  made.  Washing, 
ton  declared  his  acceptance  with  a  diffidence  which  gave  to 
his  groat  talents  a  brighter  lustre  ;  and  assured  congress  that, 
as  no  pecuniary  compensation  could  have  tempted  him  to  ac 
cept  the  office,  at  the  sacrifice  of  his  domestic  ease  and  hap 
piness,  he  would  receive  no  p:iy,  and  would  ask  only  the  re 
muneration  of  his  expenses.  Arteinns  Ward,  Charles  Lee, 
Philip  Schuylsr,  and  Israel  Putnam,  were  then  chosen  ma 
jor-generals,  and  Horatio  Gates  adjutant-general.  Lee  had 
lately  hold  the  office  of  colonel,  and  Gates  that  of  major,  in 
the  British  army. 

•56.  Congress  also  resolved  that,  for  defraying  the  ex 
penses  which  might  he  incurred,  bills  of  credit,  or  paper 
monoy,  to  the  amount  of  three  millions  of  dollars,  should 
bo  issued,  and  pledged  the  colonies  for  their  redemption. 
A  solemn  and  dignified  declaration,  setting  forth* the 
causes  and  necessity  of  taking  up  arms,  was  prepared  to 
be  published  to  the  army  in  orders,  and  to  the  people  from 
tliM  pulpit.  After  particularizing  the  aggressions  of  Great 
Britain,  with  the  energy  of  men  feeling  unmerited  injury, 
they  exclaim : 

57.  "  But  why  should  we   enumerate  our  injuries  in  de 
tail?     By  one  statute  it  is   declared  that   parliament  can  of 
right  make  laws  to  bind  us  in  all  cases  whatsoever.     What 
is  to  defend  us  against  so  enormous,  so  unlimited  a  power  ? 
Not  a  single  man  of  those  who  assume  it,  was  chosen  by  us, 
or  is  subject  to  our  control  or  influence ;  but,  on  the  con 
trary,  they  aro  all  of  them  exempt  from  the  operation  of 
such  laws,   and  an  American  revenue,  if  not  diverted  from 
the  ostensible  purposes  for  which   it  is  raised,  would  actu 
ally  lighten  their  own  burdens,  in   proportion  as  it 'increases 
ours.     We  saw  the  misery  to  which  such  despotism  would 
reduce   us.     We,    for  ton  years,   incessantly  and  ineffectu 
ally  besieged  the  throne  as  supplicants  ;    wo  reasoned,  we 
remonstrated  with  parliament  in  the  most  mild  and  decent 
language. 

58.  "We  are  now  reduced  t«  the  alternative  of  choosing 
an  unconditional  submission  to  the  will   of  irritated  minis 
ters,  or  resistance  by  force.     The  lattpr  is  our  choice.     We 
have  counted  the  cost  of  this  contest,  and   find  nothing  so 
dreadful  as  voluntary  slavery-  Honor,  justice,  and  humanity 
forbid  us  tamely  to  surrender  that  freedom  which  we  received 


'/,.      . 

154  REVOLUTIONARY  W.AR.  [1775. 

from  our  gallant  ancestors,  and  which  our  innocent  posterity 
have  a  right  to  receive  from  us.  We  cannot  endure  the  in. 
farny  arid  guilt  of  resigning  succeeding  generations  to  that 
wretchedness  which  inevitably  awaits  them  if  we  basely  en- 
tail  hereditary  bondage  upon  them. 

59.  "Our    cause    is   just;    our    union    is    perfect.     Our 
internal   resources   are    great  ;    and,    if   necessary,    foreign 
assistance    is    undoubtedly  attainable.      We   gratefully    ac 
knowledge,  as  a  signal  instance  of  the  divine  favor  towards 
us,   that  his   providence  would  riot  permit  us  to  be  called 
into  this  severe   controversy,  until  we   were   grown   up  to 
our  present  strength,  had  been  previously  exercised  in  war. 
like  operations,  and  possessed  the  means  of  defending  our. 
selves. 

60.  "With  hearts  fortified  by  these  animating  reflections 
we  most  solemnly,  before  God  and  the  world,  DECLARE,  that 
exerting  the  utmost  energy  of  those  powers,  which  our  be- 
neficent  Creator   hath    graciously  bestowed,  ,  the    arms    we 
hav^  been  compelled  by  our  enemies  to  assume,  we  will,  in 
defiance  of  every  hazard,  with   unabating  firmness  and  per 
severance,  employ  for  the  preservation  of  our  liberties,  being, 
with  one  mind,  resolved  to  die   freemen  rather  than  to  live 
slaves." 

61.  Soon  after  his  election,  general  Washington,  accom 
panied  by  general  Lee,  and  several  other  gentlemen,  set  out 
for  the  camp  at  Cambridge.     In  every  place  through  which 
he  passed,  he   received   the   highest  honors.     A  committee 
from  the  provincial  congress  of  Massachusetts,  met  him  at 
Springfield,  and  conducted  him  to  head-quarters,  where  an- 
other  committee  presented  him  a  respectful  and  affectionate 
^address. 

62.  He  found  the  army,  consisting  of  fourteen  thousand 
men,  posted  on  the  heights  around  Boston,  forming  a  line 
which  extended  from  Roxbury  on  the  right,  to  the  river  Mys 
tic  on  the  left,  a  distance  of  twelve  miles.     The  troops  were 
ardently  devoted  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  but  destitute  of  dis 
cipline,  averse   to  subordination,   without  powder,   without 
tents,  and  without  most  of  the  conveniences  usually  provided 
for  regular  armies. 

63.  With  the  assistance  of  general  Gates,  he  introduced 
some  degree  of  regularity  and   system.     Several   barrels  of 
powder  were  obtained  from  New  Jersey,  and  captain  Manly, 
commander  of  the  privateer  Loe,  captured  an  ordnance  ship, 
containing  arms,  ammunition,  and  a  complete  assortment  of 
such  working  tools  as  were  most  needed  in  the   American 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  155 

camp.  This  providential  capture  was  followed  by  others, 
which  supplied  the  most  pressing-  wants  of  the  army,  en  a- 
bled  it  to  continue,  through  the  year,  the  blockade  of  Bos 
ton,  and  contributed  greatly  to  distress  the  enemy,  for  whose 
use  the  cargoes  were  destined. 

64.  Events  occurring  this  year,  in  the  southern  colonies, 
still  further  weakened  the  attachment  of  the  people  to  Great 
Britain.     In  Virginia,  lord  Dunmore  the  governor,  seized,  by 
night,  some  powder  belonging  to  the  colony,  and  conveyed 
it  on  board  a  British  ship   in  James  river.     Intelligence  of 
this  transaction  reaching  Patrick  Henry,  he  placed  himself 
at  the  head  of  the  independent  companies  in  his  vicinity, 
and  marched  towards  the  seat  of  government,  with  the  avow- 
ed  purpose  of  obtaining,  by  fores,  restitution  of  the  powder, 
or  its  value.     He  was  met  by  a  messenger,  who  paid  him  the 
value  of  the  powder,  when  he  and  the  militia  returned  to  their 
homes. 

65.  Alarmed  by  this  display  of  spirit  and  patriotism,  lord 
Dunmore  fortified  his  palace.     From  this  castle,  he  issued  a 
proclamation,  charging   Henry  and   his   associates  with  re 
bellious  practices,  which   offended  the   people,  who   highly 
approved  their  conduct.     Other  causes  increasing  the  popu 
lar  ferment,  he  quitted  his  palace,  and  repaired  to  a  ship  of 
war  then  lying  at  Yorktown. 

66.  In  November,  he  issued  another  proclamation,  offer 
ing  freedom  to  those  slaves  belonging  to  rebel  masters,  who 
should  join  his  majesty's  troops  at  Yorktown.     Several  hun 
dred,   in  consequence,  repaired   to  that  place.     A  body  ot 
militia    immediately    assembled,     and,    while    posted    neai 
the  city,  were  attacked  with  great  bravery,  by  the  regulars, 
royalists,   and  negroes.     The   militia,   repelling  the  attack 
with  equal  bravery,  gained  a  decisive  victory.     Lord  Dun 
more  then  evacuated  the   city,   and,  followed  by   his  white 
and  black  forces,  sought  refuge   on  board  the  ships  of  his 
majesty.     Soon  after,  Norfolk,  set  on  fire  by  his  order,  was 
mostly  consumed  ;  and  its  destruction  was  completed  by  the 
provincials,   to  prevent  the  enemy  from  deriving  supplies 
from  that  quarter. 

67.  The  governor  of  North  Carolina,  following  the  exam 
ple  of  lord  Dunmore,  fortified  his  palace  at  Newbern.     This 
caused  a  commotion  among  the  people,  which  induced  him 
to  retire  on  board   a  ship  in  the   harbor.     \Vhile  there,  he 
made  zealous  exertions  to  organize  a  party  in  favor  of  the 
royal  cause;  and  a  band  of  Scotch   Highlanders,  settled  in 
the  interior  country,  listened  to  his  persuasions.     On  their 


156  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775. 

march  to  the  sea  coast,  they  were  met  by  a  party  of  militia 
who  attacked  and  dispersed  them.  This  early  victory  se 
cured  the  predominance  of  the  whigs,  and  crushed  the  hopes 
and  spirits  of  the  tories. 

G8.  South  Carolina  had  always,  with  great  unanimity  and 
zeal,  resisted  parliamentary  taxation  ;  and  soon  after  the 
battle  of  Lexington,  the  governor,  lord  William  Campbell, 
apprehensive  of  danger  to  his  person,  retired  from  the  pro 
vince.  In  July,  Georgia  chose  delegates  to  the  continental 
congress,  increasing  to  THIRTEEN  the  number  of  the  UNITED 
COLONIES. 

69.  The  province   of  New  York   contained  many  warm 
advocates  for  freedom  ;  but  its  capital  had  so  long  been  the 
head-quarters  of  the  British  army  in  America,  that  many  oj 
the  principal   inhabitants,  having  contracted  intimate  rela. 
tions  with  British  officers,  had  become  devoted  to  the  royal 
cause.     The  assembly,  acting  under  their  influence,  declined 
to  choose  delegates  to  the  continental  congress  held  in  May, 
1775;  but  the  people,  a  majority  of  whom  were  actuated  by 
different  feelings,  elected  a  provincial   congress,  by  whom 
those  delegates  were  chosen. 

70.  When  intelligence  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  reached 
the  city,  captain  Sears,  an  active  and  intrepid  leader  of  the 
44  sons  of  liberty,"  took  effectual  measures  to  prevent  vessels 
bound  to  ports  in  America,  where  the  royal  cause  prevailed, 
from  sailing.     An  association  was  also  formed,  consisting  of 
one  thousand  of  the  principal  inhabitants,  who  bound  them 
selves  to  assist  in  carrying  into  execution  whatever  measure 
might  be  recommended,  by  the  continental  congress,  to  pro 
vent  the  execution  of  the  oppressive  acts  of  the  British  par 
liament. 

71.  The  ministry,  desirous  of  retaining  in  obedience  this 
important  colony,  appointed  Mr.  Tryon  to  be  governor  over 
it.     He  had  before  filled  the  same  office ;  was  a.  man  of  ad 
dress,  and  greatly  boloved  by  the  people.     He  came  fully  em 
powered  to  gain  adherents  by  dispensing  promises  and   mo 
ney  at  his  discretion.     The  success  of  his  intrigues  alarmed 
congress,  who,  having  particular   reference   to  him,  recom 
mended  that  "all  persons  whose   going  at  I:»rg3  might  en 
danger  the  liberties  of  America,  should  be  arrested  and  se 
cured."     Gaining  early  intelligence  of  this,  he   also  sought 
refuge  on  boinl  a  ship  in  the  harbor. 

72.  Although  the  autumn  of  1775  was  not  distinguished 
by  any  brilliant  exploit,  yet  the  time  of  congress,  and  of  the 
commander-in-chief,  was  not  unprofitably  employed.     Con- 


17,76.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  157 

slant  attention  was  paid  to  the  discipline  of  the  troops ;  ar 
rangements  were  made  to  obtain  a  supply  of  military  stores  ; 
the  building  and  equipment  of  a  riLval  force  was  commenced  ; 
two  expeditions  were  organized  and  despatched  against  Ca 
nada,  one  by  the  way  of  lake  Champlain,  the  other  of  the  river 
Kennebec  ;  and  general  Lee,  with  twelve  hundred  volunteers 
from  Connecticut,  was  directed  to  proceed  to  New  York,  and, 
with  the  aid  of  the  inhabitants,  fortify  the  city  and  the 
highlands. 

73l  The  abolition  of  all  legal  authority  in  the  colonies, 
was  an  evil  for  which,  though  less  than  had  been  anticipated, 
it  was  yet  expedient  to  provide  a  remedy.  New  Hampshire 
applied  to.  congress  for  advice  on  this  subject.  A  favorable 
opportunity  was  thus  prevsented  to  the  zealous  patriots  in 
congress,  to.  propose  a  remedy  for  the  evil,  which  should,  at 
the  same  time,  exhibit  in  practice  the  fundamental  prin 
ciple  of  tlteir  political  creed,  that  all  legitimate  authority 
must  be  derived  from  the  people ;  and  should  also  pre 
pare  the  way  for  their  darling  object,  a  declaration  of  in. 
dependence. 

74.  A  resolution  was  introduced,   recommending  that  a 
convention   of  representatives,  freety  elected  by  the  people 
of  that  colony,  should  be  called,  for  the   purpose    of  estab 
lishing  such   a  form   of  government  as  they   might  deora 
proper.     It  was  warmly  opposed    by    those    members  who 
were   yet  desirous  of  an  accommodation  with  the  mother 
country.     An   amendment  being  made,  providing  that  the 
government  established  should  continue  in  force  no  longer 
than  the  existing  contest  with  Great    Britain,  the   resolu 
tion  passed.     Representatives  were  accordingly  chosen,  who, 
on  the  5th   of  January,   1776,  adopted  a  written  constitu 
tion,   acknowledging  no   source   of  power   but  the  people. 
In  other  colonies,  the    same    course  was    soon  afterwards 
pursued. 

75.  A  transaction,  displaying  the  vindictive  feelings  of  the 
British,  occurred  in  October.     The  ministry  had  issued  or 
ders  to  the  officers  of  the  navy  to  proceed,  as  in  the  case  of 
actual  rebellion,  against  all  the   colonial  seaports  accessible 
to  ships  of  war,  which  should  discover  symptoms  of  attach 
ment  to  the  cause  of  liberty.     Falmouth,  a  flourishing  town 
in  Massachusetts,  having  given  some  particular  offence,  its 
destruction,  under  color  of  these  orders,  was  resolved  on, 
and  captain  Mowatt,  with  four  ships,  was  despatched  on  that 
service. 

7G.  The  citizens  made  an  effort,  by  negotiation,  to  avert 
14 


158  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1776. 

their  ruin  ;  but  as  the  terms  which  were  offered  could  not 
be  accepted  without  dishonor,  they  were  at  once  rejected. 
The  bombardment  immediately  commenced,  the  town  was 
set  on  fire,  and  four  hundred  buildings  reduced  to  ashes. 
This  wanton  act  of  devastation  was  strongly  reprobated 
throughout  America,  and  served  to  inflame  rather  than  to 
intimidate,  the  people.  The  town  has  since  been  rebuilt, 
its  name  changed  to  Portland,  and  it  is  now  the  capital  of 
Maine. 

77.  As  the  year  1775  drew  near  to  a  close,  the  condition 
of  the  army,  employed  in  the  blockade  of  Boston,  engaged 
the  attention  of  congress.     A  spee<ly  adjustment  of  the  dis. 
pute   being  at  first  expected,  the  men  had  been  enlisted  tc 
serve   only  until   the  first    of  January.     No  prospect  now 
appeared  of  an   immediate  accommodation.     It  was  there, 
fore    resolved   to  form  a  new   army,  to  consist  of  twenty 
thousand  men,  and  to  be  raised,  as  far  as  practicable,  from 
the  troops  then  in  service.  Unfortunately  it  was  determined, 
that  the  enlistments  should  be  made  for  one  year  only,  an 
error   the    consequences  of    which   were    afterwards   very 
severely  felt. 

78.  It  was  supposed  lijfiat  most  of  those  whom  patriotism 
had  impelled  to  join  the  army,  would  continue  in  the  service 
of  their  country  ;  but  when  the  experiment    was  made,  it 
was  found  that  their  ardor  had  considerably  abated.     The 
blockade  of  Boston  presented   no  Opportunity  of  acquiring 
glory,  by  deeds  of  noble  daring  ;  the  fatiguing  duties  of  the 
camp  wore  upon  their  spirits,  affected  their  he-alth,  and  pro 
duced    an    unconquerable    longing    to   revisit  their   homes 
Notwithstanding  the  great  exertions  of  general  Washington, 
no  more  than  half  the  estimated  number  had  been  enlisted 
at  the  close  of  the  year. 

79.  The  people  and  the  troops,  supposing  the  army  to  be 
stronger  than  it  was,  expressed  great   dissatisfaction  at  the 
inactivity  of  the  commander-in-chief,  which  some  in.puted 
to    dishonorable    motives.      An     attack    upon    Boston    was 
loudly    demanded.      Washington    three    times    proposed  it 
to  a  council  of  war  ;  but  in  every  instance  the  decision  was 
unanimous  against  it.     At  the  last  time,  however,  the  coun 
cil  recommended  that  the  town   should  be  more  closely  in- 
vested.     On  the  evening  of  the  fourth  of  March,  1776,  tho 
attention  of  the  enemy  being  diverted,  by  a  brisk  cannonade, 
to  a  different  quarter,  a  party  of  troops,  under  the  command 
of  general  Thomas,  took  possession,  in  silence,  of  Dorches 
ter  heights,  and,  with  almost  incredible  industry,  erected  bo- 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  159 

fore  morning,  a  line  of  fortifications  which  commanded  the 
harbor  and  the  town. 

80.  The  view  of  these  works,   raised    like  an  exhalation 
from  the  earth,  excited  the  astonishment  of  general  Howe, 
who,  on  the  resignation  of  general  Gage,  had  been  appoint 
ed  commander-in-chief.     lie  saw  that  he  must  imm-.-diately 
dislodge  the  Americans  or   evacuate   the  town.     The  next 
day  he  ordered  3000  men  to  embark  in  boats,  and  proceeded, 
by  way  of  Castle  island,  to  attack  the  works  on  the  heights. 
A  furious  storm  dispersed   thorn  ;  the   fortifications,  in  the 
mean  time,  were  rendered  too  strong  to  be  forced  ;  and  gen 
eral  Howe  was  compelled  to  seek  safety  in  an  immediate  de 
parture  from  Boston. 

81.  Of  the   determination  of  the  enemy  to  evacuate  the 
town,  general  Washington  was  soon  apprized.     The  event 
being  certain,  he  did  not  wish  by  an  attack  to  hasten  it,  as  the 
fortifications  at  New-York,  to  which  place  he  presumed  they 
would  repair,  were  not  in  sufficient  forwardness   to  protect 
it.     The  embarkation   was  made  on  the  17th  of  March  ;  a 
few  days  after,  the  whole  fleet  set   sail,  and  the  American 
army  hastened,  by  divisions,  to  New  York. 

82.  The   acquisition  of   this  important  town  occasioned 
great  and  general  rejoicing.     The  thanks   of  congress  were 
voted  to  general  Washington  and  his  troops,  for   their  wise 
arid   spirited   conduct ;  a  medal  of  gold  was  ordered   to  be 
struck  in  commemoration   of  the  event.     The  British  fleet, 
instead  of  conveying  the  troops  Lo  New  York,  steered  for 
Halifax,    having    on   board  a  large    number  of  tories  and 
their  baggage. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 
EXPEDITION  AGAINST  CANADA. 

IT  has  been  already  stated,  that  two  expeditions  were  des 
patched  against  Canada.  The  command  of  that,  which  was 
,o  proceed  by  way  of  lake  Champlain,  was  given  to  general 
Schuyler  of  New  York.  The  number  of  troops,  to  be  em. 
ployed  was  fixed  at  three  thousand,  and  they  were  to  be 
drawn  from  New  York  and  New  England.  Governor 
Carleton,  gaining  intelligence  of  the  project,  despatched 


160  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775. 

about  eight  hundred  men  to  strengthen  the  works  at  St. 
Johns,  on  the  river  Sore!,  a  position  commanding'  tho  usual 
entrance  into  Canada. 

2.  Brigadier-general     Montgomery,    a   young    officer    of 
brilliint  talents,  and  ambitious    of  glory,  was    ordered  to 
proceed  in  advance,  with  the  troops,  then   in   readiness,  and 
attack  this  important  position,  before  it   had  been  made  too 
strong  to  be  taken.     When    commencing    his    career,  the 
glory  and  fate  of  Wolfe  were   present  to  his  thoughts,   and 
to  his  wife  his  parting  words  were,  "  You  shall  never  blush 
for  your  Montgomery."     General  Schuyler  soon    followed, 
and  on  arriving  at  Isle  aux  Noix,   in   the  vicinity  of  the 
British   works,   he  addressed  a  proclamation    to  the  Cana 
dians,  exhorting  them  to  join  their  brethren  in  the  cause  of 
freedom,  and  declaring  that  the   American   army  came  as 
friends  of   the    inhabitants,  and    as  enemies    only    of  the 
British  garrisons. 

3.  The  fortifications  at  St.  Johns  being  found  stronger 
than  \vas  anticipated,  general  Schuyler  returned  to  Albany, 
to  hasten  the  departure  of  the  remaining  troops,  artillery, 
arid  munitions  of   war.     He    was    prevented,    by  a  severe 
illness,  from  again  joining   the   army,    and  the  chief  com. 
mand  devolved  upon  Montgomery.    On  receiving  a  reinforce, 
tnent,  he  invested  St.  Johns  :  but  being  yet  almost  destitute 
of  battering   cannon   and  of  powder,  he  made  no  progress 
in  the  siege.     And  the  soldiers,  carrying  with  them  into 
the  field    that    attachment    to    liberty   and   equality  which 
gavo  birth   to  the   contest,  displayed  such  utter  aversion  to 
discipline  and  subordination  as  increased,  in  a  great  degree, 
his  difficulties  and  vexations. 

4.  Colonel  Allen,  the  hero  of  Ticonderoga,   had  a   com. 
mand  under  Montgomery.     Having   been  despatched,  with 
major  Brown,   into  the  interior  of  Canada,   he  was,  on  his 
return,  persuaded   by  the   latter  to  undertake   the  rash  pro- 
ject   of  attacking  Montreal.     He    divided  his   detachment, 
consisting    of    less    than    three    hundred    men,    into    two 
parties,  intending    to    assail    the    city  at    opposite  points, 
Major  Brown  was  prevented  from  executing  his  part  of  tho 
enterprise.     Colonel  Allen  and  his  small  party,  opposed  by 
the  whole  forco  of  th-3    enemy  under    governor  Carleton, 
fought  with   desperate   valor.     Many  were  killed  ;  the  sur. 
vivors,  overpowered  by  numbers,  were  compelled  to  surren 
der.     The  governor,  viewing  Allen,  not  as  the  intrepid  sol. 
dier,  but  as  a  factious  rebel,  loaded  him  with  irons  and  sent 
bim  to  England  for  trial. 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  161 

5.  On  the  18th  of  October,  a  fortunate  event  brightened 
the  prospects  of  the  Americans.  Fort  Chamblee,  situated 
several  miles  north  of  St.  Johns,  was  supposed  to  be 
beyond  their  reach,  and  was  but,  slightly  guarded.  A 
detachment  under  majors  Brown  and  Livingston,  attacking 
it  unexpectedly,  gained  possession  of  it  with  little  loss. 
Several  pieces  of  cannon,  and  120  barrels  of  powder,  were 
the  fruits  of  the  victory.  The  Americans,  encouraged  by 
success,  immediately,  in  defiance  of  the  continual  fire  of 
the  enemy,  erected  a  battery  near  fort  St.  Johns,  and  made 
preparations  for  a  severe  cannonade,  and  an  assault,  if  ne 
cessary. 

G.  At  this  juncture,  Montgomery  received  intelligence 
of  an  action  between  governor  Carleton  and  a  body  of 
Green  Mountain  boys  commanded  by  colonel  Warner. 
The  former  elated  by  his  victory  over  Allen,  collected  about 
eight  hundred  regulars,  militia,  and  Indians,  with  the  view 
of  raising  the  siege  of  St.  Jjohns.  In  full  confidence  of  suc 
cess,  they  left  Montreal,  embarked  in  boats  and  proceeded 
towards  the  southern  shore  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  In  tho 
bushes  at  the  water's  edge  colonel  Warner,  having  received 
information  of  their  purpose,  concealed  three  hundred  men, 
who,  when  the  enemy  approached  the  shore,  poured  upon 
them  a  fire  so  unexpected  and  destructive,  that  the  flotilla 
returned,  in  confusion,  to  Montreal. 

7.  On   the   first,  of  November,   Montgomery  commenced 
a  heavy  cannonade  of  the  enemy's  works,  which  was   con 
tinued  through  the   day.     In   the   evening,  he   sent  to  the 
British  commander,  by  one  of  governor  Carleton's  men,  who 
had  been  made  prisoner  by  Colonel  Warner,  intelligence  of 
the  governor's  defeat,  and  demanded  the  surrender  of  tho 
fort.     It  was  accordingly  surrendered,  and  the  next  morning 
entered  by  the  American  troops. 

8.  Montgomery  hastened  to  Montreal,  and,  at  the  same 
time,    despatched  down  the  Sorel,   the  mouth  of  which   is 
below  that  city,  a  naval  force  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the 
British   to  Quebec.     Governor  Carleton,  believing  the   city 
not  tenable,  quitted  it  in  the  night,  and,  in  a  boat  with  muf 
fled   oarri,   was   conveyed   through  the  American   squadron. 
The  next  day,  general  Montgomery  entered  the  city,  and  al 
though  no  terms  were  granted  to  the  inhabitants,  he  treated 
them  with  the   kindness  of  a   fellow  citizen,   declaring  that 
the  property,  rights,  and  religion  of  every  individual  should 
be  sacredly  respected. 

U.  Bv  his  benevolence  and  address,  he  gained  the  affec* 
14* 


162  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775 

tions  of  the  Canadians,  many  of  whom  joined  his  standard 
Moro,  however,  of  his  own  troops,  whose  term  of  enlistment 
had  expired,  insisted  on  retufcsing  to  their  homes.  So  dear 
to  them  were  the  delights  of  the  domestic  fireside,  and  so  vi 
vidly  were  they  recalled  to  memory  by  the  severe  duties  of 
the  campaign,  that  the  high  character  of  the  commander, 
his  address,  his  entreaties,  availed  nothing  to  induce  them  to 
proceed  on  the  expedition.  With  the  remnant  of  his  army, 
consisting  of  no  more  than  three  hundred  men,  he  began  his 
march  towards  Quebec,  expecting  to  meet  there  another 
body  of  troops  sent  to  a'ct;in  concert  with  him. 

10.  These  troops  were  a  detachment  from  the  army  before 
Boston,  consisting  of  one  thousand   men,  and   commanded 
by  colonel  Arnold  ;  who,  as  a  soldier,  was  adventurous,  irn. 
pel.uous,   and  fearless ;  as   a   man,    overbearing,   avaricious, 
and   profligate.      Their  route  lay   along   the    coast   to   the 
mouth  of  the  Kennebec,  in  Maine,  thenqjf  up  that  river  to 
its   source,    and    thence    over    lofty    mountain?,    through    a 
wilderness  unexplored   by   civilized   man,    to   the   river   St. 
Lawrence.     They  were  unable  to  begin  their  march  before 
the  middle  of  September ;    on  the  22d,   they  embarked    in 
boats,  at  Gardiner,  on  the  Kennebec,  and  proceeded  to  as- 
cend  that  river. 

11.  They  found  the  current  rapid,  and  the  navigation  in 
terrupted   by  frequent  cataracts.     Around  these   they  were 
obliged  to  draw,  by  hand,  their  provisions,  arms,  and  even 
their    boats.     Nor    was  their    route   on    land    less    difficult. 
They  had  deep  swamps  to  pass,  and  craggy  mountains  to  as 
cend.     The  toil  was   so  incessant,  and   the  fatigue  so  great, 
that  many,   falling  sick,  were   sent   back,    and   along  with 
these  the    rear    division,   commanded    by  colonel    Erio^,  re 
turned  without  the  knowledge  of  Arnold. 

12.  Before  they  readied  the  height  of  land,  provisions  bo 
came  scarce.     Dogs,  cartridge-boxes,  and  shoes  were  eaten. 
At  the  summit,  the  whole  stock  was  divided  equally  among 
them,  each   receiving   but  two  quarts   of  flour  as   his  por 
tion.     The  order   of  march  was   no  longer   observed.     The 
soldiers  were  directed  to  proceed,  singly  or  by  companies,  as 
they  might  choose,  slowly  or  with  speed,  as  they  were  able, 
to  the  nearest  Canadian  settlement,  then  one  hundred  miles 
distant.     When  the  company,  whose  superior  strength  ena 
bled    them   to  keep  in  advance,  were  thirty  miles  from  any 
human   habitation,  the  last  morsel   of  food  had  been   con 
sumed. 

13.  In  this  extremity.  Arnold,  with   a  few   of  the  most 


-  1775.]          EVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  105 

vigorous,  made  a  forced  marcli  to  the  first  villagt^  officer 
turned  to  his  almost  faraisiied  companions,  with  foou 
cient  to  satisfy  tiic  first  wants  of  nature.  Refreshed  +  ne 
strengthened,  they  hastened  forward,  arid,  on  the  fourth  ^ 
November,  arrived  at  the  Froiich  settlements  on  the  Chau. 
diere,  having  been  thirty-two  days  without  seeing  the  abodes 
of  civilized  man  ;  and  having,  in  that  time,  performed  a 
marcli  unexampled  for  its  temerity  and  hardship. 

14.  The   inhabitants  welcomed  them  with   cordial   hospi. 
>ality.      Though   separated,   in    a  great   measure   from   the 
world,  they  had  heard  of  the  dispute  between  Great  Britain 
and  her  colonies,  and  as  the  very  name  of  liberty  is  dear  to 
the  heart  of  man,  their  sympathies  were  all  enlisted  on  the 
side  of  the  Litter.     Arnold  distributed  proclamations  among 
them  similar  to  those  issued  by  general  Schuylsr.     As  sooii 
as  the   scattered  soldiers  were  assembled,  he  contir  ucd  his 
march,   and,   on  tho   ninth   of  November,   a'rrived  at   Poirit 
Lsvi,  opposite  Quebec. 

15.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  surprise  and  astonishment 
of  the  citizens  on   seeing  a  body  of  hostile   troops  emerging 
frfem  tho  southern  wilderness.     Had  Arnold,  at  this  moment 
of  panic,  boon    able  to  cross   the   river,  tho  city  must   havo 
fallen  an  easy  conquest ;  but   boats  were   not  at  hand,  and  a 
furious  storm,  ^occurring  at  the  time,  rendered  crossing  im 
possible. 

16.  Having  procured  boats,  and  the  storm  having  abated, 
he  crossed   the   river  on   tho  night  of  the  13th,  and   landed 
near  the   place   where  Wolfe  had  landed  in   the  preceding 
war.     Mounting  tho  same  steep  ascent,  he  formed  his  troops 
on  the  plains  of  Abraham,  and  marched  towards  the    city. 
Convinced,  by  a  cannon.ado  from  tho  walls  that  the  garrison 
were  ready  to  receive   him,  he  returned,  encamped   on   the 
plain,   and  on  the    18th  marched  to   Point  aux  Trembles, 
twenty  miles   from  Quebec,  where  he   determined  to   await 
the  arrival  of  Montgomery. 

17.  Ho  came  on  the  first  of  December.     How  great  was 
the  joy,  and  how  lively  the  gratulations,  they  only  can  ima 
gine,  who,  after  long  absence  and  suffering,  have  met,  in  a 
foreign  land,  their  friends  and  former  companions.    Arnold's 
troops  had,  indeed,  great  cause  of  rejoicing.     They  were  en- 
tirely  destitute  of  winter  clothing,  and  had  endured  extreme 
distress  from   the  severity   of  the   cold.     Montgomery   had 
brought  a  supply  from  Montreal,  which  he  immediately  dis 
tributed  among  them. 

18.  Tljo'r  united  force  amounted  to  no  more  than  nine 


1G4  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775 

hundred  effective  men.  On  the  fifth,  the  general,  at  the 
head  of  these,  up  eared  before  the  city  and  sent  a  flag  with 
a  summons  to  sui.erider.  Tiie  delay  which  had  taken  place, 
had  enabled  governor  C'irleton  to  increase  the  strength  of 
the  works,  and  to  change  the  sentiments  of  the  citizens  from 
friendship  for  the  Americans  to  hostility.  He  ordered  his 
troops  to  fire  upon  the  bearer  of  the  flag. 

19.  Montgomery    soon    discovered   the    defection    of  his 
friends,  and   perceived  that   he  must  depend  upon  his  own 
force  alone   for   the  accomplishment   of  his   object.     When 
ho  compared  this  force  with  that  of  the  enemy,  who  were 
fifteen   hundred  strong ;  when   he   reflected  that  his  troops 
were   recent   levies,   whose   term   was   nearly   expired,    and 
whose   thoughts   were   fixed   upon    their   homes,    his   hopes 
of  success  became  faint,   and  his  forebodings  gloomy.     He 
believed,  however,  that   success  was  possible,   and   his   high 
sens 3  of  honor   and  of  duty  impelled   him  to   hazard  every 
thing  to  obtain  it  for  his  country. 

20.  He  at  first  determined  to  batter  the  walls,  and  harass 
the  city,  by  repeated  and  furious  attacks,  hoping  that  an  op. 
portanity  might  occur  of  striking  some  decisive  blow.     lie 
raised  a  mound,  composed  of  snow  and  water,  which  soon 
became  ice,  and  there  planted  his  cannons,  six  only  in  num 
ber.     After  a  short  trial,  they  were  found  inadequate,  and 
this  plan  was  abandoned. 

21.  Meanwhile,  the   snow   foil   incessantly,   the    cold  be. 
came   intense,   and   the   sufferings   of  the  troops,   from 


rigor  of  the  season  and  their  co^inual  H^oil,  siitSwWd  all 
that  they  had  ^gjg]ri^gtbre«  -felt,  "or  Witnessed,  or  imagined. 
To  in  ere  ise^lhe-ir  aistress,  the  small-pox  broke  out  in  the 
camp,  presenting  death  in  a  new  shape,  and  adding  to  the 
severity  of  their  labors,  by  lessening  the  number  to  bear 
them.  In  the  midst  of  these  trials,  their  attachment  to  the 
cause,  and  devotion  to  their  commander,  remained  una 
bated;  but  these,  he  reflected,  must  soon  give  way  before 
such  severe  and  constant  suffering ;  and  for  himself,  he 
determined  to  make  immediately  a  bold  and  desperate 
effort. 

22.  Assembling  his  officers,  he  proposed  to  storm  the 
city.  He  placed  before  them  the  motives  which  operated; 
upon  his  own  mind.  He  did  not  deny  that  the  enterprise 
was  highly  difficult  and  dangerous,  but  maintained  that 
success  was  possible.  He  addressed  a  band  of  heroes 
whose  sentiments  were  congenial  with  his  own,  and  the 
decision  was  unanimous  in  favor  of  his  proposition.  The 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  165 

plan  and  time  of  attack  were  concerted,  and  to  each  officer 
was  assigned  his  particular  duty. 

23.  On  the  last  day  of  December,  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  while  a  violent  snow  storm  was  raging,  the  troops 
marched   from  the  carnp  in   four  columns,  commanded  by 
Montgomery,  Arnold,   Livingston,   and  Brown.     The   two 
latter    were    directed    to    make    feigned    attacks    upon    the 
upper  town,  in  order  to  distract  the  attention  of  the  garri 
son  ;  while  the  two  former  proceeded  to  assault  the  lower 
town  at  opposite  points. 

24.  Livingston  and  Brown,   impeded   by  the   snow,   did 
not  arrive  in  season  to  execute  their  feints.     Montgomery, 
advancing,  at  the  head  of  his  column,  along  the  bank  of 
the  river,  came   to   a  barrier  or  stockade   of  strong  posts. 
Two   of  these    he   sawed   off  with    his   own    hands.     The 
guard  within  were  alarmed,  and  fled  to  a  block-house,  fifty 
yards   distant,   where   several    pieces   of  cannon  were   sta 
tioned.     He  passed  through  the  opening  in  the  barrier,  en- 
couraging  his  men  to  follow.   The  troops  at  the  block-house, 
to  whom  the  guard  had  communicated  their  terror,  began  to 
desert  it. 

25.  At  this  moment,   Montgomery  halted,   to  allow  the 
troops  near  him  to  form  in  a  body.     Observing  this  delay, 
a  Canadian,  who  lingered,  behind,  returned  to  the  block- 
house,  seized  a  match  \vhich  was  burning,,  and  discharged 
a  cannon  loaded  with  grape  shot,  and  'fortuitously  pointed 
at  Jhe   little   band.     The   discharge   was   instantly   fatal  to 
Montgomery,  ;a»d    to.-severaj   .favorite    officers    standing 
around   him.     The   men,    seeing  thei¥'4>eb»ved   leader  fall, 
shrunk    back  ;    colonel    Campbell,    the    next    in  "command, 
ordered  a  retreat,  and  that  portion  of  the  garrison  stationed 
at  the  block-house,  was  left  at  liberty  to  hasten  to  another 
part  of  the  city,  already  in  commotion  from  the   attack   of 
Arnold. 

26.  This  officer,  marching  like  Montgomery,  at  the  head 
of  his  column,  had  entered  the  town.     Advancing  along  % 
narrow  street,  which  was   swept   by  the   grape   shot   of  the 
enemy,  he  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  log,  and  was  car 
ried  to  the   hospital.     Captain   Morgan,  afterwards  distin 
guished  by  his  exploits  at  the  south,  assumed  the  command. 
Placing  himself  at  the  head  of  two  companies,  he  boldly  ap 
proached  the  enemy's  works,  and  entering  through  the  em 
brasures,  drove  the  men  from  their  guns. 

27.  Here  he  halted  until  the  rear  of  the  column  came  up. 
When  time  was   given   for   reflection,  the   danger   of  their 


166  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  1775.} 

sitixition,  a  small  band  in  the  heart  of  a  hostile  city,  filled 
even  the  bosoms  of  the  brave  with  dread.  Morgan  retained 
liis  firmness  ;  and  when  the  morning1  dawned,  with  a  voice 
that  resounded  through  the  city,  summoned  his  troops  to  the 
assault  of  a  second  battery,  a  short  distance  in  advance  of 
the  first. 

28.  Before   this   a  fierce   combat  ensued.     Many  of  the 
enemy  were    killed,    but    more    Americans,   who   were    ex- 
posed  to   a   destructive   fire   of  musketry  from  the  windows 
of  the  houses.     Some  of  the  most  during-  mounted  the  wall, 
but,  seeing  on  the   other  side,  two  ranks  of  soldiers,  with 
their  muskets  on  the  ground,  presenting  hedges  of  bayonets 
to  receive  them,  should  they  leap  forward,  they  recoiled  arid 
descended. 

29.  Weary  with  exertion,  and  benumbed  with  cold  ;  ex 
posed   to  a  deadly  fire   from   every  quarter  ;  their  arms  ren 
dered   useless  by  the  snow  which  continued  to  fall,  the  sol 
diers  sought  refuge  in  the  houses.     Perceiving  that  all  fur 
ther  attempts  wrould  be  vain,  Morgan  gave  the  signal  of  re^ 
treat.     Some  of  the  men  fled,  but  most  were   unwilling  to 
encounter  another  tempest  of  shot.     They  refused,  however, 
to  yield,  until   assured   of  the   fate  of  Montgomery ;  when, 
losing  all  hope  of  success  and  escape,  they  surrendered  them 
selves  prisoners  of  war. 

30.  The  loss  of  the   Americans,  in  this   desperate  enter 
prise,  was  ahove  four   hundred,  of  whom  one   hundred   and 
fifty    were    killed.     The    whole     continent    bewailed    the 
death  of  Montgomery.     He  was  conspicuous,  even  in  those 
times  of  enthusiasm,  for  his   ardent   devotion  to.,  the  cause 
of  freedom.     He  was  endeared  to  the  good,  by  the  exercise, 
in  the  midst  of  war,  of  the  most  amiable  virtues.     His  sol 
diers  adored  him  for  his  lofty  spirit  and  daring  bravery.    The 
enemy  respected   him   for   his   honorable,  conduct,   and  dis 
tinguished  military  qualities.     Until  his  last  enterprise,  con 
tinual  success  bore  testimony  to  the  greatness  of  his  talents; 
and  defeat,  whon  he  was   no  more,  confirmed  the  testimony 
of  success.      Congress    resolved    that   a  monument   should 
be  erected   to  perpetuate  his  f.!,mn.     It  lives  yet  fresh  in  the 
memory  of  Americans.     In   1818,  New  York,   his  adopted 
state,  removed  his  remains  from  Quebec  !,o  her  own  metro 
polis,  where  the  monument  had  been  placed,  and  near  that 
they  repose. 

31.  Some  of  the  Americans,  on  their  escnpe  from, .Quebec, 
retreated  precipitately  to  Montreal,     Arnold,  with  difficul 
ty,   detained  about  four  hundred;,  who,   breaking  up   their 


1776.]  REVOLUTIONARY  VfA  R.  107 

camp,  retired  three  miles  from  the  city.  Here  this  heroic 
baud,  though  much  inferior  in  number  to  the  garrison, 
kept  it  in  continual  awe,  and,  by  preventing  all  commu 
nication  with  the  country,  reduced  it  to  great  distress  for 
the  want,  of  provisions. 

32.  Congress,  on  rec giving1  information  of  the  disaster  of 
the  31st  of  December,  directed  reinforcements  to  be  sent  to 
Canada  ;  and  after  the  beginning  of  March,  Arnold's  party 
was  almost  daily  augmented  by  the  arrival  of  small  bodies  of 
troops.     But  its  strength  did  not  increase  with  its  numbers. 
The  small-pox  still  continued   its  ravages ;  fatigue,  without 
hop?,  depressed  the  spirits  of  the  soldiers ;  the  difficulty  of 
obtaining    provisions    became    every  day  greater;    and    the 
haivjh  measures  adopted  by  Arnold  to  procure  them,  exaspe 
rated  the  inhabitants  around  him. 

33.  On  the  first  of  May,  general  Thomas,  who  had  been 
appointed  to  succeed  Montgomery,  arrived  from  the  camp  at 
Roxbury.     On  reviewing  his  army,  lie  found  it  to  consist  of 
less  than  two  thousand  men,  of  whom  half  were  not  fit  for 
duty.     A  council  of  war  was  held,  who  resolved  that  it  was 
expedient  to  take  a  more  defensible  position  higher  up  the 
St.  Lawrence.     To  this  decision  they  were  led  by  the  know 
ledge  that  the  ice  was  leaving  ihe  fiver,  and  by  the  expecta 
tion  that  reinforcements  from  England  would  immediately 
come  up.     The  next  morning,  in  fact,  while  the  Americans 
were  engaged  in  removing  the  sick,  several  ships  appeared 
in   sight,   and  entered   the   harbor.     A  multitude   of  troops 
were  immediately  poured  into  the  city. 

31.  At  one  o'clock,  Carleton  made  a  sortie  at  the  head  of 
a  thousand  men.  Against  these  general  Thomas,  at  that 
moment,  could  oppose  but  three  hundred.  All  the  stores, 
and  many  of  the  sick,  fell  into  the  power  of  the  enemy.  The 
latter  were  treated,  by  the  governor  » ith  great  tenderness  • 
and  whon  restored  to  health,  wei'3  ^sistecl  to  return  to  their 
homes.  The  Americans  retreated  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sorol, 
where  they  were  joined  by  sovp.nl  regiments,  and  where  their 
worthy  commander  died  of  the  small-pox,  which  yet  pre 
vailed  in  the  camp. 

35.  While  patriotism  and  valor  were,  in  this  quarter  un 
successfully  contending  with  a  superior  force,  the  Ameri 
cans  sustained  a  heavy  and  unexpected  calamity,  resulting 
from  cowardice,  in  another.  At  a  fortified  place,  called  the 
Codars,  forty  miles  above  Montreal,  colonel  Bjdell  was  sta 
tioned  with  four  hundred  mon,  and  two  pieces  of  cannon. 
Assembling  a  force  of  six  hundred,  mostly  Indian  warriors, 


1G8  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775. 

captain  Foster,  who, commanded  at  O.swegatchie,  descended 
the  river  to  attack  this  post. 

36.  Colonel  Bedell,  leaving  major  Butterfield  in  command, 
repaired  to  Montreal ;  to  obtain   assistance.     Shortly  after- 
wards,  captain  Foster  appeared,  and  invested  the  fort.     He 
had  no  artillery,  and  in  the  course  of  two  days,  but  one  man 
was  wounded.     More  efficient  than  his  arms,  was  the  inti 
mation,  that  if  any  of  the  Indians  should  be  killed,  it  would 
not  be  in  his  power  to  restrain  them  from  the  massacre  of 
the  garrison.     Intimidated  by  this,  major  Butterfield  surren 
dered  his,  whole  party  prisoners  of  war,  stipulating  only  for 
their  baggage  and  their  lives. 

37.  Upon  the  representation  of  colonel  Bedell,  a  reinforce 
ment  was  ordered  to  march  from  Montreal ;  but  he  declined 
returning  with  it,  and  the  command  was  given   to  major 
Sherburne.     The   day.  after   the   surrender  of  the   fort,  of 
which  event  the  major;  was  ignorant,  and  about  four  miles 
from  it,  he  was  met  by  a  large  body  of  Indians,  to  whom, 
after  an  obstinate  and   bloody  conflict,  he  was  obliged   to 
surrender.     The  whole  loss  of  the  Americans  was  at  least 
five  hundred. 

33.  General  Sullivan  was  appointed  to  succeed  general 
Thomas,  and  on  the  first  of  June,  arrived  at  the  river  Sorei, 
where  he  found  between  four  and  five  thousand  men.  But 
the  army  of  the  enemy  had,  in  the  mean  time,  been  aug 
mented  to  thirteen  thousand..  Commanding  a  force  so  de 
cidedly  superior,  governor  Carleton  pressed  forward  in  pur 
suit,  and  the  Americans  retreated  slowly  and  reluctantly  be 
fore  him.  At  St.  Johns,  the  pursuit  ceased ;  but  general 
Sullivan,  in  obedience  to  orders  from  general  Scimyler, 
continued  his  march  to  Crown  Point,  at  the  head  of  lake 
Champlain. 

39.  Thus  terminated  the  expedition  against  Canada.  In 
its  conception  it  was  singularly  bold  and  romantic.  In  its 
progress  were  displayed  fortitude  and  bravery  seldom 
equalled  in  military  annals.  Its  failure  was  a  painful  dis 
appointment,  to  the  patriots  of  the  day.  It  is  now  consoling 
to  reflect,  that  success  would  probably  have  proved  injurious 
to  the  cause  of  independence.  To  protect  the  province,  the 
military  force  of  the  confederacy  must  have  been  too  much 
extended,  and  colonies  more  important  have  been  left  de 
fenceless. 


1C9 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1776. 

THE  last:  humble  petition,  of  congress  to  the  king  was  pre 
sented  by  Mr.  Perm,  the  late  governor  of  Pennsylvania. 
A  few  days  afterwards,  he  was  told  by  the  minister  that 
no  answer  would  be  made  to  it.  The  haughty  spirit, 
which  dictated  this  reply,  pervaded  both  houses  of  parlia 
ment. 

2.  In    December,    a   law   was    passed    amounting1    to   a 
declaration    of  war   against   the    colonies.      Treaties   were 
made  with  the  landgrave  of  Hesse  Cassel  and  other  Ger 
man  princes,  hiring  of  them  seventeen    thousand  men,  to 
be  employed  against  the  Americans ;  and  it  was  determined 
to  send  over,  in  addition  to  these,  twenty-five  thousand  Eng 
lish  troops. 

3.  In  the   beginning  of  the  year  1776,  a  fleet   under  sir 
Peter  Parker,  and  two  thousand  live  hundred  troops   com 
manded  by  earl  Cornwallis,  were  despatched  upon  an  expe 
dition   against  the  southern  colonies.     Soon   after,  admiral 
Hotham  set  sail  with  a  large  number  of  transports,  carrying 
the  first  division  of  Hessians  ;  and,  in  May,  followed  admiral 
lord  Howe,  who  had  been  appointed  commander  of  the  naval 
force  on  the  American  station,    lie,  and  his  brother,  general 
Howe,  had  also  been  appointed  joint  commissioners  to  grant 
pardons  on  submission. 

4.  On  the  first  of  May,  the  fleet,  under  Sir  Peter  Parker, 
arrived   on  the  coast  of  North  Carolina,  where   sir  Henry 
Clinton,  arriving  at  the  same  time  from  New  York,  took 
command  of  the   troops.     The  late  defeat  of  the  Highland 
emigrants  had  so  dispirited  the  loyalists  in  this  colony,  that 
he  determined  to  proceed  farther  south,  and  attack  Charles 
ton,  the  capital  of  South  CarpKna. 

5.  Fortunately,  an  official  letter,  announcing  the  speedy 
departure  of  the  expedition  from  England,  had  been  inter 
cepted  early  in  the  spring,  and  time  was  thus  given  to  place 
this  city  in  a  state  of  defence.     A  strong  fort  was  built  on 
Sullivan's  island,  a  position  from  which  ships,  on  entering 
the  harbor,  could  be  greatly  annoyed  ;  the  streets,  in  differ 
ent   places,    were    strongly   barricaded;  the    stores   on   the 
wharves,  though  of  great  value,  were  pulled  down,  and  lines 
of  defence  erected  along  the  water's  edge. 

6.  On   learning   the   near   approach   of  the   enemy,  the 


170  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1776. 

militia  of  the  country  were  summoned  to  defend  the  capi 
tal.  They  obeyed  with  alacrity,  increasing  to  five  or  six 
thousand  the  number  of  troops.  General  Lee  had  been  ^ent 
from  New  York  to  take  the  chief  command  ;  and  his  high 
military  reputation  gave  confidence  to  the  soldiers  and  inha 
bitants.  Under  him  were  colonels  Gadsden,  Moultrie,  and 
Thompson. 

7.  In  the  morning  of  the  28th   of  June,   nine  ships  of 
war,  carrying  two  hundred   and  fifty  guns,  began  a  furious 
attack  upon   the   fort  on  the   island,  which  was  garrisoned 
by  about  four  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of  colonel 
Moultrie.     At  the  same  time,  a  detachment  of  troops  was 
landed  on  an  adjoining  island,  and  directed  to  cross  over, 
at  a  place  where  the  sea  was  supposed  to  be  shallow,  and  at 
tack  it  in  the  rear. 

8.  The   heavy  and   incessant  fire  of  "the   enemy  was  re 
ceived  with   coolness,   and   returned  with   skill.     Many  of 
their  ships  suffered  severely,  and  particularly  the  Bristol,  on 
board  of  which  was  commodore  Parker.     She  was  twice  in 
flames,   her  captain   was  killed,   and   so  dreadful   was  the 
slaughter,  that,  at  one  time,  the  commodore  was  the  only 
person  upon  deck  unhurt. 

9.  In  the  midst  of  the  action,  general  Lee  visited  the  gar 
rison.    He  was  delighted  with  the  enthusiasm  they  exhibited. 
Nothing  seemed  capable  of  quenching  their  ardor.    Soldiers, 
mortally  wounded,  exhorted  their  comrades  never  to  abandon 
the  standard  of  liberty.     "  I  die,"  said  sergeant  M'Donald, 
in  his  last  moments,  «*  for  a  glorious  cause ;  but  I  hope  it 
will  not  expire  with  me." 

10.  The  British  troops,  destined  to  attack  the  fort  in  the 
rear,  found  it  impossible  to  reach  the  island.     The  engage 
ment  with  the  fleet  continued  until  dark.     The  ships,  hav 
ing  received  too  much  injury  to  renew  it,  moved  off  in  the 
night ;  'and  a  few  days  afterwards,  the  fleet,  with  the  troops 
on  board,  set  sail  for  New  York,  where  the  whole   British 
force  had  been  ordered  to  assemble. 

11.  The   killed  and  wounded   on  the   part  of  the  enemy, 
amounted   to  near  two   hundred.     Of  the   Americans,   ten 
were    killed,   and   twenty-two   wounded.     The    troops,    for 
their   gallantry  received  the  thanks  of  Congress,  and  high 
and  well  merited  praise  from  their  countrymen.     Their  suc 
cess  was  auspicious  to  the  cause  of  freedom.     In  a  part  of 
the  country  where  resistance  by  force  had  been  but  little  con 
templated,  it  aroused  the  people  tc  exertion,  and  inspired 
them  with  confidence. 


1776.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR,  171 

12.  Notwithstanding  the  active  war  carried  on,  the  colo. 
nies  still  professed  allegiance  to  the  British  king  ;  and  pro- 
tested  that  the  sole  object  of  all  their  measures,  was  a  re- 
dress  of  grievances,     la  the  beginning  of  the  contest,  these 
professions,  in  most  instances,  were  sincere ;  but  a  state  of 
hostility  produced  a  rapid  change  of  sentiment.     In  place  of 
attachment  to   monarchy  and  to  Great  Britain,   succeeded 
devotion  to  republican  principles,  and  wishes  for  indepen 
dence. 

13.  The  temporary  constitutions  adopted  by  New  Hamp 
shire,    and    several   other    colonies,    had    shown  with  what 
facility  all   bonds   of  connection   with   the   mother   country 
could   be  dissolved.     Essays  in  the  newspapers,  and  pamph 
lets  industriously   circulated,    appealing  to  the   reason   and 
to   the    passions   of  the   people,  enforced   the   necessity  and 
policy  of  a  separation.     Resistance,   it  was  observed,   had 
baen   carried  too   far   to   allow  the   hope   that   cordial   liar- 
mony  could  ever  be  restored ;  submission,  on  any  terms,  to  ir 
ritate  matters,  would   be  totally  unsafe  ;.  and  the  alternative 
was  presented   of  rising   to  the   honorable  rank  of  an  inde 
pendent  nation,  or   sinking   into   a  state  of  vassalage  which 
every  future  year  would  render  more  oppressive  and  degra 
ding. 

14.  A  pamphlet,  entitled   "  Common   Sense,"  and  written 
by  Thomas  Paine,    an    Englishman,   was  universally  read, 
and  most  highly  admired.   ^In  language  plain,  forcible,  and 
singularly  well  fitted  to  operate  on  the  public  mind,  he  por 
trayed  the  excellencies  of  republican   institutions,    and   at 
tacked,  with  happy  and  successful  ridicule,  the  principles  of 
hereditary  government.    The  effect  of  the  pamphlet,  in  mak 
ing  converts,  was  astonishing,  and  is  probably  without  pre 
cedent  in  the  annals  of  literature. 

15.  As  a  step  preparatory  to  independence,  congress,  on 
the  15th  of  May,  recommended  to  those  colonies  that  had 
not  yet  adopted  constitutions,  to, establish,  without  any  limi 
tation  of  time,  "  such  governments  as  might  best  conduce  to 
the  happiness  and  safety  of  the  people."     The  recommen 
dation  was  generally  complied  with,  and  in  every  instance 
the  government  was  not  only  entirely  elective,  but  elective  at 
such  short  periods  as  to  impress  upon  rulers  their  immediate 
accountableness  to  the  people,  and  upon  the  people  a  just 
opinion  of  their  own  importance,  and  a  conviction  of  their 
safety  from  misrule. 

1.6.  The  colonies  had  become  accustomed  to  contemplate 
themselves   as   sovereign    states;    and  the    governments  of 


172  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1776. 

many  expressed  their  desire  that  congress  would  declare 
them  such  to  the  world.  On  the  7th  of  June,  a  resolution 
to  that  effect  was  proposed,  in  that  body,  by  Richard  Henry 
Lee,  of  Virginia,  and  seconded  by  John  Adams,  of  Massa 
chusetts.  While  under  consideration,  the  colonies  which 
had  not  expressed  their  approbation  of  the  measure,  declared 
their  concurrence.  A  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs. 
JeftVrson,  Adams,  Franklin,  Sherman,  and  Livingston,  were 
instructed  to  prepare  a  Declaration  of  Independence,  which, 
on  the  fourth  of  July,  a  memorable  day  was  almost  unani 
mously  adopted. 

17.  "We   hold  these  truths,"  says  this   celebrated  state 
paper,  "to  be   self  evident,   that  all   mankind  are   created 
equal  ;  that  they  are  endowed  by  their  Creator  with  certain 
unalienablc  rights;  that  among  these  are  life,  liberty,  and 
the    pursuit   of    happiness  ;    that    to    secure   these   rights, 
governments  are  instituted  among  men,  deriving  their  just 
powers  from  the  consent  of  the  governed  ;  that  whenever 
any  form  of  government  becomes  destructive  of  these  ends, 
it  is  the   right  of  the   people   to  alter  or  abolish  it,  and  to 
institute  a  new  government,  laying  its  foundations  on  such 
principles,   and  organizing  its  powers  in  such  term,  as  to 
them  shall  seem  most  likely  to  effect  their  safety  and  hap 
piness." 

18.  To  justify  the  exercise,  on   the   present  occasion,  of 
the  right  here  asserted,  a  long  enumeration   is  made  of  the 
injuries   inflicted  upon   the  colonies,  by   the  king  of  Great 
Britain,  which  is  closed  by  declaring  that  "  a  prince,  whoso 
character  is  thus  marked  by  every  act  which  may  define  a 
tyrant,  is  unfit  to  be  the  ruler  of  a  free  people." 

19.  The  appeals  which  had   been  made  to  the  people  of 
Great  Britain  are  also  recounted  ;  "  but  they  too  have  been 
deaf  to  the  voice  of  justice   and  consanguinity.     Wo  must 
therefore   acquiesce   to  the   necessity  which   denounces   our 
separation,  and  hold  them,  as  vre  hold  the  rest  of  mankind, 
enemies  in  war,  in  peace  friends. 

20.  "  We,   therefore,   the    representatives  of  the   United 
States  of  America,  in  general  congre-ss   assembled,  appeal 
ing  to  the  Supreme  Judge   of  the  world   for  the   rectitude 
of  our  intentions,  do,  in  the   name,  and  by  the   authority 
of  the    good    people    of    these    colonies,    solemnly   publish 
and  declare,   that  these  United  Colonies   are,  and  of  right 
ought  to  be,  FRKE  arid  INDEPENDENT  STATES  ;  that  they  are 
absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown,  and  that 
all   political   connection   between   them   and    the  -stafte  ©f 


177G.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  173 

Great  Britain  is,  and  of  right  ought  to  he,  totally  dissolved; 
and  that,  as  freo  and  independent  states,  they  have  full 
power  to  levy  war,  conclude  peace,  contract  alliances,  esta 
blish  commerce,  and  do  all  other  acts  and  tilings  which  inde 
pendent  states  may  of  right  do.  And  for  the  support  of  this 
declaration,  with  a  firm  reliance  on  the  protection  of  Divine 
Providence,  we  mutually  pledge  to  each  other  our  li^es,  our 
fortunes,  and  our  sacred  honor." 

21.  This  declaration  was  communicated  to  the  army,  and 
received  with  enthusiastic  plaudits.    A  great  majority  of  the 
people    welcomed  it  with  joy,  which  was  displayed,   in  al 
most,  every  city,  by  extraordinary  public  festivities.     Those 
who  had  been  denominated  tories,  were  averse  to  a  sepa 
ration.     Many  joined  the  royal  armies,  and  exhibited,  during 
the  war,  the  most  cruel   hostility  against  the  whigs,  their 
countrymen. 

22.  During  the  spring  and  summer,  unremitted  exertions 
were  made  to  fortify  the  city  of  New  YorK.  against  which, 
it  was  supposed,  the  whole  strength  of  the  enemy  would  be 
next  directed.     In  this  crisis  the  people  of  that  state  acted 
with  spirit  and  firmness.     Ono  fourth  of  the  militia  of  the 
counties  "contiguous  to  the  city,  were  called   into  the  public 
service.     Yet  the  means,  in  the  power  of  the  comrnander-m- 
cliief,  were  riot  adequate  to  the  emergence.     He  had  under 
his  command  but  fourteen  thousand  effective  men ;  and  was 
almost  destitute  of  many  articles  which  impart  strength  as 
well  as  comfort  to  an  army.     As  it  was  in  the  power  of  the 
l,iv'my  to  choose  their  point  of  attack,  this  force  was  neces 
sarily  divided.     A  part  were  stationed  in  the  city,  a  part  at 
Brooklyn,  on  Long  Island,  and  small  detachments  at  various 
other  posts. 

23.  In  the  beginning  of  July,  admiral  and  general  Howe 
arrived  in  the   harbor  of  New   York.     They  were  accom 
panied  by  a  powerful  naval  force,  and  by  an  army  of  twenty- 
four    thousand    men,    abundantly    supplied    wiih    military 
stores.     The  troops  were  landed  on  Staten  Island,  a  position 
from  which  ulterior  movements  could  most  conveniently  be 
made. 

.  24.  General  Washington,  presuming  that  the  first  attack 
would  be  made  upon  the  posts  at  Brooklyn,  strengthened 
it  by  a  detachment  of  troops  fr<  m  the  city,  and  gave  the 
command  of  it  to  general  Putnam.  On  the  22d  of  August, 
the  British  forces  worn,  landed  on  the  opposite  side  of  Long 
Island.  The  two  arr  ies  w-?re  now  about  four  miles  asunder, 
and  were  separate?'  by  a  range  of  hills,  over  which  passed 


174  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1776 

three  main  roads.  Various  circumstances  led  general  Put 
nam  to  suspect  that  the  enemy  intended  to  approach  him  by 
the  road  leading  to  his  right,  which  he  therefore  guarded 
with  most  care. 

25.  Very  early  in  the  morning  of  the  26th,  his  suspicions 
were  strengthened  by  the  approach,  upon  that  road,  of  a  co 
lumn  of  British  troops,  and  upon  the  centre  ro:id,  of  a  column 
of  Hessians.     To  oppose  these,  the  American  troops  were 
mostly  drawn  from  their  camp,  and   in   the  engagements 
which  took  place,  evinced  considerable  bravery. 

26.  These  movements  of  the   enemy  were   but   feints  to 
divert  the  attention  of  Putnam  from  the  road  which  led  to 
his  left,  along  which  general  Clinton  was  silently  advancing 
with  the  main   body  of  the   British   army.     The   report  ol* 
cannon  in  that  direction  gave  the  first  intimation  of  the  dan- 
ger  which  was  approaching.    The  Americans  endeavored  to 
escape   it,  by  returning,  with   the  utmost  celerity,  to  their 
camp.     They  were  not  able  to  arrive  there  in  time,  but  were 
intercepted  by  general  Clinton,  who  drove  them  back  upon 
the  Hessians. 

27.  Attacked  thus  in  front  and  rear,  they  fought  a  succes 
sion  of  skirmishes,  in  the  courss  of  which  many  we1"}  killed, 
many  made  prisoners,  and  several  parties,  seizing  favorable 
opportunities,  forced  their  way  through  the  enemy,  and  re- 
guined  the  camp.     A  bold  and  vigorous  charge,  made  by  the 
American  general,  lord  Sterling,  at  the  head  of  a  Maryland 
regiment,  enabled  a  large  body  to  escape   in  this  manner. 
This  regiment,  fighting  with  desperate  bravery,  kept  a  force 
greatly  superior  engaged,  until  their  comrades  had  passed 
by,  when   the   few  who  survived,  ceasing  to  resist,  surren 
dered  to  the  enemy. 

28.  The  loss  of  the  Americans,  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
prisoners,  considerably  exceeded   a  thousand.     Among  the 
latter  wore  £en?;rals  Sullivan,  Sterling,  and  Woodhull.    The 
total  loss  of  the  enemy  was  less  than  four  hundred.     They 
encarnpod  at  night  before  the  American  lines  ;  and  the  next 
day  h°gan  to  erect  batteries  within   six   hundred  yards  of 
their  left. 

29.  While   the  battle   was  raging,   general  Washington 
passed   over  to  Brooklyn,  whcr-5  he  Witnessed,   with  inex* 
possible  anguish,   the  destruction  of  his  best  troops,  from 
which,  such  was  the  superiority  of  the  enemy,  it  was  impos 
sible  to  save  thorn.     Finding  the  men   dispirited  by  defeat, 
he  determined  to  remove  them  to  the  city.     The  retr?at  was 
cJfTectoJ,  on  the  night  of  the  28th,  with  such  silence  and 


1776.]  REVOLUTIONARY  tVA&.  175 

despatch,  that  before  the  suspicions  of  the  enemy  were  e.T* 
cited,  the  last  division  of  boats  was  beyond  the  reach  of 
their  fire. 

30.  So  disheartened  were   the  militia,  that  they  deserted 
by  companies ;  and  even  the  regular  troops  were  infected  by 
their  example.     Near  the  middle  of  September,  the  corn- 
mander-in-chief,  fearing  to  be  enclosed  in  the  city,  retired  to 
the  heights  of  Haerlem.     The  enemy  immediately  took  pos 
session.     A  few  days  afterwards,  a   fire  'broke  out  which 
consumed  about  a  thousand  houses-. 

31.  General  Washington,  after  reflecting  upon 'the  events 
which  had  already  occurred  ;  after  considering  the  inexpe 
rience  of  his  troops,  the  condition  of  the  country,  and  the 
distance  of  the   enemy  from   their  resources,  determined  to 
adopt   a  cautious  system  of  warfare  ;  to  risk  at   present  no 
general  engagement-;  to  harass  and  wear  out  the  enemy  by 
keeping  them  in  continual  motion  ;  and  to  inspire  his  own 
troops  with  courago,  by  engaging  them  in  skirmishes,  in  all 
oases  where  success  was  probable.     In  one,  fought  on  the 
6th  of  September,  the  brave  colonel   Knowlton  was  killed'; 
but  the  result,  was  so  decidedly  favorable  to  the  Americans, 
that  the  troops  recovered  their  spirits  ;  and  the  general  was 
confirmed  in  the  system  he  had  adopted. 

32.  The  movements  of  the  enemy,  in   the  -beginning  of 
October,  indicated   an  intention  cf  gaining  trio  rear  of  the 
Americans,  and   cuttirig  off  their  tcmnrntunication  with  the 
eastern  states.  The  army,  th'M-eFtfre^niitting  Haerlem,  moved 
northward  towards  White   Plains.     General  Howe  pursued, 
making  several  attempts  to  bring  on  a  general  engagement, 
which  Washington   avoided  by  skilful   changes  of  position. 
A  partial  action  wis  fought,  on  the  28th  of  October,  in  which 
the  loss  on  both  sides  Was  nearly  equal. 

33.  Finding  his  antagonist  too  cautious  to  bo  drawn  into 
the  open  field,  and  too  strong  to  be  attacked  in  his  entrench 
ments,   general  Howe  determined   to   return   towards  New 
York,  and  attack  forts  Washington  and  Lee,  situated  opuo- 
site  to  each  other  on  the   banks  of  the  Hudson,  and  about 
ten  miles  above  the  city.     In  these  forts,  garrisons  had  been 
left,  from  a  wish  to  preserve  the  command  of  this  important 
river.     That  in  fort  Washington,  consisting  in  part  of  mili^ 
tia,  amounted  to  two  thousand  seven  hundred  men,  tinder 
colonel  Magaw. 

3i.  On  the  l«6th  of  November,  four  divisions  of  the 
enemy's  army,  bd  by  their  principal  officers,  attacked  it  in 
four  different  quarters.  The  garrison,  and  .particularly  -fill® 


3£fv  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1776 

riflemen  under  colonel  Rawlings,  fought  bravely.,  T  he^Ger- 
snans  wore  several  times  driven  back,  with  great  loss.  Bat 
o  combined  and  vigorous  attacks  were  at  length  success-, 
iju-lv  The  ammunition  in  the  fort  being  nearly  exhausted, 
34  id  all  the  outposts  driven  in,  the  commander,  on  being  a. 
second  time  summoned,  agreed  to  capitulate,  on  honorable 
ferms.  Tliis  was  the  severest  blow  the  Americans  had  yot 
felt,.  The  loss  of  the  enemy,  however,  in  killed  and  wounded, 
Was  supposed  to  be  twelve  hundred  men. 

35.  Fort  Lee  was  immediately  evacuated,  the  garrison 
joining  general  Washington.  He  had  previously,  with  one 
division  of  his  army,  crossed  over  into  New  Jersey,  leaving 
the  other,  under  the  command  of  general  Lee,  in  New  York. 
His  force,  even  when  augmented  by  the  garrison,  consisted 
of  but  three  thousand  effective  men,  and  they  were  des 
titute  of  tents,  of  blankets,  and  e*\3n  of  utensils  to  cook 
thoir  provisions.  His  first  station  was  Newark;  but  the 
enemy  pursuing  him,  he  was  compelled  to  retreat  succes 
sively  to  Brunswick,  to  Princeton,  to  Trenton,  and  finally 
to  cross  the  Delaware  into  Pennsylvania  ;  and  so  close  was 
the  pursim.  that  i*ie  advance  of  the  British  army  was  of  Leo 
ip  sight. 

3f>.  Sma-l'  as  was.  his  force  when  the  retreat  began,  it 
diminished  ai2.'.\y.  On  the  last  of  November,  many  of  his 
troops  were  entitled  to  their  discharge,  and  not  cue  of  them 
could  be  persuaded  to  continue  another  day  in  service. 
Such  ho  feared  would  be  the  conduct  of  the  remainder, 
whose  time  would  expire  at  the  end  of  the  year.  In  this 
extremity,  he  urged  general:  Lee  to  hasten  to  bis  assistance  ; 
but  that  officer,  having  other  purposes  in  view,  delayed  his 
march.  He  called  on  the  militia  of  New  Jersey  and  Penn 
sylvania,  but  none  obeyed  his  call.  The  population  around 
him  were  hostile  or  desponding,  and  withheld  all  aid  from 
^n  army  whose  career  seemed  near  its  termination. 

37.  In   this  darkest  hour  in   American  history,   general 
Howe   issued    a    proclamation  offering    pardon   to   all   who 
would   declare   their   submission  to    royal    authority.     The 
contrast  between  a  ragged,  suffering,  retreating  army,  and 
a  full  clad,  powerful,  exulting  foe,  induced  many,  despair 
ing   of  success,    to  abandon  the  cause  they   had  espou&eci 
and,  accept  of  pardcn.     Among  them  were   Mr.  Galloway 
and  Mr.  Allen,  who  had  been  members  cjf  the  continental 
congress. 

38.  As   the  British  army  approached  Philadelphia,   con 
gress   adjourned  to  Baltimore.,   having    previously  invested 


1776.1  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  177 

goneral  Washington  with  "  full  power  to  order  and  direct 
all  things  relative  to  the  department,  and  to  the  operations  of 
war."  Such  unlimited  authority  could  not  have  been  placsd 
in  hands  more  worthy  to  held  it.  To  the  elastic  energy  of 
his  mind,  and  his  perfect  self-possession  in  the  most  despe 
rate  circumstances,  is  America,  in  a  great  degree,  indebted 
for  her  independence. 

39.  On  the  day  that  he  was  driven  over  the  'DelaT/are,  the 
British  took   possession  of  Rhode    Inland.    'On   the  13th  of 
December,  general  Lee,   having  wandered  from  his  army, 
was  surprised  and  taken   prisoner.     In   the  experience  and 
talents  of  this  officer,  the  people  reposed  -great  confidence, 
and  they  lamented  his  loss  like  that  of  an  army.     In  its  con- 
sequences,  his  capture  was  fortunate.     The  command  of  his 
division  devolved  upon   general   Sullivan,  who  conducted  it 
promptly  to  general   Washington,  augmenting  his  army  to 
nearly  seven  thousand  effective  nr-eii, 

40.  Still  so  much  stronger   were  the  enemy,   that  they 
regarded  the  rebels — for  so  they  delighted  to'call  the  patriots 
of  that  day — as   almost   subdued,   and   doubted  not  that  a 
vigorous  attempt,  whenever  they  should  be  disposed  to  make 
it,  would  place  in  their  power  the  handful  of  men  before 
them.     They  rioted  upon  the  plunder  of  the  country,  and 
enjoyed  in   prospect  the   fruits  of  an  assured  and  decisive 
victory. 

41.  Washington  saw  that  this  tide  of  ill  fortune  must  Le 
stemmed — must  even  be  relied  buck  upon  the  enemy — or  it 
would  soon  overwhelm  his  country.     He  resolved  to  hazard 
all -that  was  bft.  in  one  >vigor<ms  effort  for  victory.     On  the 
night  of  the '85th  of  December,  at  fh«  head  of  two  thousand 
four  hundred  men,  he  crossed  the  Delaware  at  Trenton,  sur- 
pris  M!  a  body  of  Hessians  stationed  at  that  place,  took  nine 
hundred  prisoners,  and  immediately  recrossed,  having  lost 
'•but  nine  of  his  men. 

42.  This  sudden  and  severe  blew  awakened  the  enemy  to 
activity.    'Comwallis,  who  had   repaired   to  N~ew  York,  in. 
trusting  to  his  inferior  officers  the  task  of  finishing  the  war, 
returned,  with  additional  troops,  to  regain  the  ground  that 
had  been   lost.     -He  concentrated   his  forces  at   Princeton-; 
and,  soon  after,  Washington,  having1  been  .joined  by  a  body 
of  Pennsylvania  militia,  ami   persuaded  the  "New  England 
troops  to  serve  six  weeks  longer,  again  crossed  the  Delaware 
and  took  post  at  Trenton. 

43.  On  the  2d  of  January,  1777,  the   greater  -part  of  the 
'British   armv  marched  to   attack   the   Amorticuns.     -!H  the. 


17a  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1777; 

evening,  they  encampefl  near  Trenton,  in  full  expectation., 
Qf  a  battle  and  victoryi*i  the  morning.  Washington,  sensi 
ble  of  the  inferiorityf&f  his  force  ;  sensible  too  that  flight 
would  be  almost  as  fatal  as  defeat,  conceived  another  bold 
project,  which  he  resolved  instantly  to  execute. 

44.  About  midnight,  having  renewed  his  fires,  he  silently 
decamped,  and  gaining,  by  a  circuitous  route,  the  rear  of  the 
enemy,   marched    towards    Princeton,    where   he    presumed 
Cornwallis  had  left  a  part  of  his  troops.    At  sunrise,  the  van 
of  the  American  forces  met  unexpectedly  two   British  regi 
ments.     A  sharp  action  ensued  ;  the  former  gave  way.     At 
this  crisis,  when   all  was  at   stake,  the  Commander-in-chief 
led  the  main  body  to  the  attack.     The  enemy  were  routed 
and  fled.     Fortunately  the  heroic  Washington,  though  ex- 
jjosod  to  both  fires,  and  but  a  few  yards  distant  from  either 
jarty,  escaped  unhurt. 

45.  Instead  of  pursuing   them,   he    pressed    forward   to. 
Princeton,  where  one  regiment,  yet  remained.     Part  saved 
themselves  by  a  precipitate  flight;  about  three  hundred  were 
made  prisoners.     The  British  loss  in  killed  was  upwards  of 
Qne   hundred  ;  the   American  was  less,  but  in  the  number 
were  the  bruve   general   Mercer,  arid  several  valuable   offi 
cers.     Among  the  wounded  was  lieutenant  James  Monroe, 
afterwards  raised  to  the   highest  office   in.  the   gift  of  his. 
fcllow-citi'zons. 

46.  In  consternation,  the  British  army  immediately  eva-^ 
quated  Trenton,  and  retreated  to  New  Brunswick.     The  in 
habitants,  resuming  their  courage,  and   giving  full  force  to 
their  rage,  which   fear  had  smothered,  took  revenge  for  the 
brutalities  they  had  suffered.     The  enemy  were  driven  from 
all  their  posts  in  New  Jersey,  except  Arnboy  and  Brunswick, 
and  the  American  army  obtained  secure  winter  quarters  at 
Morristown. 

47.  The    brilliant    victories    at    Trenton    and    Princeton 
raised,  from  the  lowest  depression,  the  spirits  of  the  Ameri 
can   people.     They  regarded  Washington   ;>s  the   savior  of" 
his  country.     He  became  the.  theme  of  eulogy  throughout 
Europe.     And  having  displayed,  as  occasions  demanded,  the 
opposite   qualities  of  caution   and   impetuosity,  he  received 
the  honorable  and  appropriate  appellation  of  tho  American, 
If  ah ius 


179 

\ 

CHAPTER  XIll 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1777. 

THE  firmness  manifested  by  congress,  when  disaster  'an$ 
defeat  had  almost  annihilated  the  American  army,  entitles 
the  members  to  the  -gratitude  and  admiration  of  every  friend 
of  freedom.  They  exhibited  no  symptom  of  terror  or  dis 
may.  They  voted  to  raise  an  army  to  take  the  place  of  that 
which  was  to  be  disbanded  at  the  end  of  the  year  ;  and, 
made  sensible  by  experience,  that  short  enlistments  had  been 
the  cause  of  most  of  the  misfortunes  of  their  country,  they 
resolved  that  the  new  levies  should  be  enlisted  to  serve  three 
^ears  or  during  the  War,  at  the  option  ef  the  individual  re 
cruits.  To  defray  expenses,  they  made  large  emissions  of" 
paper  money.  And  to  evince  their  firm  determination  to 
the  world,  they  solemnly  declared  that  they  would  listen  to 
no  terms  of  peace  which  required  a  relinquishment  of  their 
independence,  or  which  should  deprive  other  nations  of  a 
free  trade  to  their  ports. 

2.  Relying  on  the  inveterate  enmity  'of  France  against 
Great  Britain,  they  sent  commissioners  to  that  court,  with 
instructions  to  solicit  a  loan  of  money,  a  supply  of  munitions 
of  war,  and  an  acknowledgment  of  the  independence  of  the 
United   States.     These   commissioners  were   Dr.  Franklin, 
Silas  Deane,  and  Arthur  Lee.     Franklin  arrived  at  Paris  in 
December.     The  cause  of  which  he  was  the  advocato,  and 
his  otvrn  great  fame  as  a  philosopher,  procured  him  a  flatter 
ing  reception  from  all  ranks  of  people.     America,  her  minis 
ter,  her  struggle  against  oppression,  became  the  themes  of* 
popular  discourse,  and  'the  government  itself  was  rendered 
in  secret  propitious  to  her  cause. 

3.  The  ministry  permitted  arms,  covertly  taken  frCni  the 
'public  arsenals,  to  be  conveyed  to  the  United  States.     They 
connived  at  the  sale,  in  their  West  India  islands,  and  even 
in  the  ports  of  France,  of  the  prizes  taken  by  American  pri 
vateers.     The  value  of  these  prizes,  made  in  the  year  1776, 
was  computed  at  five  millions  of  dollars,  and  far  exceeded 
'hat  of  the  captures  made  by 'the  enemy. 

4.  So  popular  was  the  cause  of  the  United  States,  and 
f>  exalted  the  character  of  their  military  leader,  that  many 
Trench  officers  sought  an  opportunity  of  engaging  in  UUKJT 


18fr  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR  [1777. 

service.  Among  these,  the  young  marquis  de  la  Fayette 
was  most  conspicuous  for  his  rank,  and  most  distinguished 
for  his  ardor  and  enthusiasm.  At  an  early  period,  he  com. 
municated  to  the  American  agents  his  wish  to  join  the  re- 
publican  armies.  At  first,  they  encouraged  his  zeal,  but 
learning  the  disasters  which  preceded  the  victory  at  Tren 
ton,  they,  with  honorable  frankness,  communicated  the  in- 
formation  to  him,  and  added  that  they  were  so  destitute  of 
funds,  that  they  could  not  even  provide  for  his  passage  across 
the  ocean. 

5.  "  If  your  country'"  replied  the  gallant  youth,  "  is  in- 
deed  reduced  to  this  extremity,  it  is  at  this  moment  that  my 
departure  to  join  her  armies  will  render  her  the  most  essen 
tial  service."     He  immediately  hired  a  vessel  to  convey  him 
to  America,  where   he  arrived  in  the  spring  of  1777.     He 
was  received  with  cordial  affection  by  the  people,  became 
the    bosom   friend  of  Washington,   solicited    permission  to 
serve  without  pay,  and  was  appointed  major-general  in  the 
army. 

6.  In  the  kst  campaign,  more  prisoners  had  been  taken 
by  the  British  than  by  the?  Americans.     They  were  detained 
at   New   York,  arid  were  confined   in  churches  and  prison 
ships,  where  they  endured  the  extremity  of  wretchedness. 
They  were  expocud,  without  fire  and  almost  without  clothes, 
to  the   inclemency  of  a   severe  winter  ;  were   often  whole 
days  without  food,  and  when  food  was  offered,  it  was  but  a 
miserable  pittance,  damaged  and  loathsome.     Many  died  of 
hunger,  and  more  of  diseases,  produced  by  their  complicated 
Bufferings 

7.  Washington  remonstrated  with   warmth,   and   threat 
ened  retaliation.     After  his  victories  in  New  Jersey,  their 
treatment  was   less   inhuman.     An    exchange  was   agreed 
vpon,    but   many,    when    attempting    to    walk    from    their 
places    of  confinement    to  the  vessels  provided  to    convey 
them   away,   fell   and  expired    in   the  streets.     Yet   in  the 
midst   of  these  unparalleled  sufferings,  they  had  exhibited 
fortitude  more  rare,  and   more  honorable  to   human   nature, 
than  the    highest   display  of  valor   in    battle.     To    entice 
them  to  eiriist  in  the  royal  arrny,  they  were  promised  re 
lief  fiom  misery,  and  the  enjoyment  of  abundance.     They 
rejected  tiie   offer  with   disdain  ;  thus   giving  to  the  world 
the  noblest  proof  of  the  absence  of  all  mercenary  motive, 
and  of  the-  sincerity  and  fervor  of  their  devotion  to  their 
country. 

8.  Near  the  end  of  May,  the   American,  army,  wliich 


1777.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  181 

had  been  augmented  by  recruits  to  almost  ten  thousand 
men,  moved  from  Morristown,  and  took  a  strong  position 
at  Middlebrook.  The  British,  soon  after,  left  their  encamp 
ment,  and  general  Howe  endeavored,  by  various  movement*, 
to  induce  general  Washington  to  quit  his  strong  hold  and 
meet  him  on  equal  ground.  But  the  latter,  adhering  to  his 
Fabian  system  of  warfare,  determined  to  remain  in  the  posi 
tion  he  had  chosen. 

9.  General  Howe,  changing  his  purpose,  transported  his 
Jirmy  to  Staten  Island.     lie  there  embarked   sixteen  thou 
sand   troops  on   board  a   large  fleet,  and,  leaving  sir  Henry 
Clinton   in  command   at  New  York,  put  out  to  sea  on  the 
26th   of  July.     His  destination  was   carefully  kept  secret. 
On   the  20th   of  August,  the   fleet  entered  Chesapeake  bay, 
and  rendered  it  certain  that  an  attack  upon  Philadelphia  was 
intended.   The  troops  were  landed  at  Elk  ferry,  in  Mary  hind, 
fifty  miles  south  of  that  city. 

10.  The  American   army  immediately  crossed  the   Dela 
ware,  and,  passing  through  Philadelphia,  directed  its  march 
towards   the   enemy.     The   people,  weary  of  delays  and  in 
decisive    movements,    demanded    that    a    general    engage 
ment  should  be  hazarded  for  the  defence  of  the  metropolis. 
Washington,  yielding  to  their  wishes,  took  a  position  on  the 
eastern   bank  of  Brandywine  creek,  and  in   the  direction  of 
the  enemy's  route. 

11.  On  the  eleventh  of  September,  the  British  army  ap 
peared,  and,  crossing  the  creek  at  several  fords,  commenced 
an  attack  upon  the  American  right,  which,  after  a  short  re 
sistance,   gave  way.     The   other  divisions,  successively  at 
tacked,   gave  way  in  like  mariner,  and   the   rout  becoming 
general,  a  retreat  was  ordered  to  Chester. 

12.  Several  portions  of  the  American   army,  particularly 
a   brigade    from    Virginia,    exhibited    in   this    battle    great 
firmness  and  bravery.     The  misconduct  of  others  rendered 
their    bravery   unavailing.     The   American    loss    amounted 
to  twelve  hundred  ;  the  British   to  no  more  than   half  that 
number.      The    marquis    de    la    Fayette    took    part    in    the 
engagement,  and  was  wounded.     The   next   day,   the   army 
retired  to  Philadelphia,  arid   soon   after   to   Reading,  where 
a  quantity  of  stores  had   bee~   deposited.     The   retreat  was 
performed    without    a    murmur,    although    many   marched 
without  shoes,  and  slept  on  tho   ground  without  blankets. 
On  the  26th   of  September,    general   Howe   entered   Phila 
delphia  in  triumph,  congress   having  previously  removed  to 
Lancaster. 

1G 


182  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1776. 

13.  The    transactions    of    tho     contending    armies     at 
the    north,    since    the    termination  of   the    expedition    to 
Canada,    now    demand    our    attention.      The    Americans 
halted  at  Crown  Point,  the  British  at  St.  Johns,  and  both 
employed   the  remainder  of  the  summer  in  building  vessels 
and  making  preparations  to  secure   the  command  of  lake 
Champlain. 

14.  On  the  llth  of  October,   1776,  tho  American  and 
British  squadrons  met,   colonel  Arnold,   who   had   been    a 
sailor  in  his  youth,  commanding  the  former.     After  a  short 
contest,  the  enemy,  not  being  then  able  to  bring  their  whole 
forco  into  action,  retired.     The  next  day,  they  returned  to 
the  combat,  and  being  greatly  superior,  drove  the  American 
squadron   before  them,  to  the   head  of  the   lake.     A  sharp 
action    then    took    place  ;   the    officers    and    men    fought 
gallantly,  but  Arnold  losing  a  part  of  his   force,  and  per 
ceiving  defeat  to  be  inevitable,  ran  the  remainder  of  his  ves 
sels  on  shore,  and  set  them  on  fire. 

15.  Winter  approaching,  governor  Carleton  returned  with 
his  troops  to  Canada.     General  Burgoyne,  who  had  served 
under  him  during  the  last  campaign,  made  a  voyage  to  Eng 
land  to  concert  a  plan  for  future  operations.     It  was  deter 
mined   that   a    powerful    army,    departing    from    Montreal, 
should  proceed,  by  way  of  lake  Champlain,  to  the  Hudson, 
with  the  view  of  obtaining,  by  the  co-operation  of  the  army 
at  New  York,  the  entire  command  of  that  river.     All  com 
munication  between   the   states  of  New  England,  and  the 
others  lying  south  of  them,  would  thus  be  prevented.  Either 
section,  alone  and  unsupported,  could,  it  was  supposed,  he 
easily  subdued  ;  and  the  whole  strength  of  the  nation  might 
then  be  directed  against  the  other. 

16.  Nothing  was  omitted  which  might  insure  the  success 
of  this   project.     Seven  thousand  choice  troops,  to  be  sent 
from  England,  were  allotted  to  the  service.    They  were  sup 
plied   with   an   excellent  train  of  brass   artillery,    and  with 
every  thing  which  could  add  to  their  efficiency  as  an  army. 
The  command  was  giv^en  to  Burgoyne,  and  several  officers  of 
distinguished  reputation  were  sc3lected  to  serve  under  him. 

17.  General   Schuyler,   of  New  York,   a   worthy   officer, 
whose  talents   were   solid  bu4    not  brillrmt,   had  the  chief 
command  of  the  northern  department.     He  was  indefatiga 
ble   in   making  preparations  for  defence ;  and  such  was  his 
zeal  in  the  cause  of  independence,  and  such  his  deserved 
popularity  in    his   native   state,   that   he  doubtless   accom 
plished    more    than    any    other   person    could    have    done* 


1777.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR,  183 

Still,  at  a  late  period  in  the  spring,  the  fortifications  were 
incomplete,  and  but  few  troops  or  munitions  of  war  were 
collected. 

18.  Very  early  in  the  season,  Burgoyne  arrived  at  Que 
bec.     He  immediately  despatched   colonel   St.   Leger  with 
a  party  of  regulars,  lories,  and  Indians,  by  the  way  of  the 
St.  Lawrence  to  Oswego,  directing  him  to  proceed  thence 
to  the  Mohawk,  and  join  him  at  Albany.     With  the  main 
army,  augmented,  in  Canada,  to  ten  thousand  men,  he  has- 
tened  to  Ticonderoga,  before  which  he  appeared  on  the  first 
of  July.     On   his  way,  he   held  a  conference,  at  the   river 
Bouquet,   with   a  large   number  of  savages,  whom   British 
-agents  had  persuaded  to  join  the  army. 

19.  The  garrison  of  Ticorideroga,  which  was  then   com- 
manded  by  general  St.  Clair,  was  insufficient  to  defend  it 
against  so  powerful  a  force.     It  was  evacuated  in  the  night 
of  the  5th,  the  troops  crossing  lake  Champlain  and  retreat, 
ing  towards  Castleton,  in  Vermont.     The  enemy  pursued 
ap.d  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  their  van  overtook  and  at 
tacked  the  American  rear,  under  colonels  Francis  and  War 
ner.     The  action  was   warm  and  well-contested  ;  but  other 
troops  arriving  to  the  aid  of  the  British,  the  Americans  were 
compelled  to  give  way. 

20.  The  retreat  now  became  precipitate  and  disorderly  ; 
the  pursuit  rapid  and  persevering.     At  length,  the  republi 
can  army,  diminished  in  number,  exhausted  by  fatigue,  and 
dispirited  by  misfortunes,  arrived,  by  various  routes,  at  fort 
Edward,  on  the  Hudson,  the  head-quarters  of  general  Schuy- 
ler.      These    disastrous    events    spread   terror    arid    dismay 
throughout  the  land.     The  people,  ignorant  of  the  weakness 
of  the  army,  attributed  its  retreat  to  cowardice  or  treachery; 
and  trembled  at  the  dangers  which  menaced  them  from  the 
British,  Germans,  and  savages. 

21.  The    royal     forces,    elated    by    success,    proceeded 
through     the    wilderness    towards     fort    Edward.      Their 
progress  was   slow   and   toilsome.      General  Sehuyler,   on 
their  approach,   evacuated  the  fort,  and  retired  across  the 
Hudson  to  Saratoga.     Soon   after,  he  descended  the  tiver 
to  Stillwater;   and,  the  British  continuing  to  advance,  he 
retreated,  on  the  14th  of  August,  to  the  islands  at  the  con 
fluence   of  the   Mohawk   and   Hudson,   a  few   miles  north 
of  Troy.     About  the  same  time,  intelligence  was  received, 
that  St.  Loger,  having  penetrated  from  Oswego  to  the  Mo 
hawk,  had  laid  siege  to  foit  Sehiiyler,  situated  in  the  present 
township  of  Rome. 


184  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1777 

22.  The  American  general,  before  leaving  fort  Edward, 
issued  a  proclamation  calling  to  his  aid  the  militia  of  New- 
England  and  New  York.     Aroused  by  the  danger,  multi 
tudes   obeyed  his  call.     Vermont  poured  forth  her  daring. 
Green   Mountain   boys  j  the   other  states   of  New  England 
their   hardy  yeomanry,   ardent   in   the   cause   of  freedom  ^ 
New  Y'ork,  her  valiant  sons,  indignant  at  this  invasion  of 
her  territory,  and  determined  to  protect  their  property  from 
pillage  and  destruction.     These  beset  the  invaders  an  every 
side,  impeding  their  progress,  cutting  off  their  supplies,  and 
fatiguing  them  by  incessant  attacks. 

23.  Burgoyne,  finding  it  difficult  to>  transport  his  provi 
sions  through  the  wilderness,  despatched  colonel  Baum,  with* 
five  hundred  Hessians,  to  seize  a  quantity  of  be-ef  and  flour 
which  the  Americans  had  collected  and  deposited  at  Ben. 
nington.     Fortunately,    general    Siark,    at   the   head   of  a 
party  of  New  Hampshire  militia,  had  just  arrived  at  that 
place,  on  his  way  to  the  main  army,  and  been  joined  by 
volunteers  from  the   immediate   neigh  boyhood.     Baura,  as. 
certaining  their  number  to  be  greater  than  his  own,  halted 
near  Bennington,  erected  breastworks,  and  sent  bask  for  a 
reinforcement. 

24.  In   several    skirmishes   between    small   detachment^ 
the  militia  were    uniformly    successful*     This    sharpening 
their    courage,    Stark    resolved    to   attack  the  main  body. 
On  the  16th  of  August,  a  fierce  and  sanguinary  battle  took 
place.     For  two  hours,   the  'Hessians  fought  brairely,  but 
their  works,,    assaulted    by  braver    troops,  were    at   length 
entered,  and  most  of  the  detaehment  either  killed  or  made 
prisoners. 

25.  Just  after  this  action  had  terminated,  colonel  Brcy- 
man  arrived  with  the  reinforcement  sent  to  Baum,      The 
militia,  apprehending  no  danger,   had-  dispersed   in   pursuit 
of  plunder   or  the  fugitives.     By   carelessness   was    nearly 
lost   all  that   by  valor   had  beon   gained.     Happily,  at  this 
critical  juncture,  colonel  Warner  arrived  from  Manchester 
with    a   continental   regiment,    and   immediately   fell  upon 
Breyman.     The  miliria,  rallying,  hastened  to  his  aid.     Tha 
battle   continued   until    sunset,    when   the  enemy   retreated, 
and  under  cover  of  the  night  the  greater  part  effected  their 
escape. 

215.  The  tide  of  fortune  was  now  turned.  The  decisive 
victory  at  Bonnington  diffused  confidence  and  joy.  Tho 
friends  of  independence,  before  depressed  by  disaster  and 
defeat,  were  now  animated  by  the  prospect  which  siui- 


1777.1  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  185 

denly  burst  upon  them,  of  a  glorious  victory  over  an  arro 
gant  and  once  dreaded  enemy.  The  greatest  zeal  and 
activity  were  every  where  displayed.  Again,  crowds  of  mili 
tia  flocked  to  the  republican  camp. 

27.  In  a  few  days,  cheering  intelligence  arrived  from  fort 
Schuyler,  The  garrison,  under  colonels  Gansevoort  and 
Willet,  had,  in  the  midst  of  the  most  discouraging  circum 
stances,  made  a  gallant  defence  against  the  forces  of  St. 
Leger.  -General  Herkimer,  marching  with  eight  hundred 
militia  to  their  relief,  fell  into  an  ambuscade,  was  defeated 
and  slain  ;  but  a  larger  party  was  speedily  collected,  and 
immediately  despatched,  under  general  Arnold,  upon  the 
same  service. 

S8.  The  Indians,  alarmed  by  their  approach,  and  fa. 
tigued  and  disgusted  by  the  protracted  labors  of  the  sioge, 
threatened  to  abandon  St.  Leger,  if  he  would  not  relinquish 
liis  enterprise.  He  reluctantly  consented,  and  with  the  loss 
of  his  baggage  and  stores  retreated  to  Montreal.  Burgoyne 
was  thus  deprived  of  his  expected  co-operation,  and  the  mi 
litia  of  that  part  of  the  states  were  enabled  to  join  the  Ame 
rican  army. 

29.  The   disasters  which  befell   this   army   at   tho   com 
inencprnent  of  the  campaign  induced  congress  to  recall  the 
generals  who  commanded  it,  and  to  appoint,  in  their  places, 
generals  Gates,  Lincoln,   and  Arnold.     Having  the  control 
of  more   abundant   and   powerful    means,   they   acted    with 
more  energy  and   boldness.      Gates,   leaving   the  encamp 
ment  on   the  island,  to  which  Sehuyler  had  retreated,  ad 
vanced,  in  the  beginning  of  September,  to  the  neighborhood 
of  Stillwater. 

30.  iBurgoyne,  after  the  defeat  of  Bauns,  was  obliged  to 
have   recourse,    for   provisions,    to    the    magazines   at   fort 
George.     The  laborious  task  of  transporting  them  through 
the  wilderness  to  the  Hudson  being  accomplished,  he  moved 
forward,  and,  on  the   17th   of  September,  encamped  within 
four  miles  of  the  American  army. 

31.  The    next    day   the    first   battle    of   Stillwater    was 
fought.     It  was  begun  by  skirmishes  between  the  scouting 
parties    of   the    two    armies,    which  were   respectively   and 
repeatedly  reinforced,  until   nearly  the   whole  of  each  was 
engaged.     Both    fought    with   determined    resolution ;  they 
alternately  drove  and  were  driven  by  each  other.     A  con 
tinual   blaze    of  fira  was    kept  up.     Men,  and  particularly 
officers,  dropped  every  moment  and  on  every  side.     Night 
put  an  end  to  the  conflict. 

16* 


186  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1777. 

32.  The   American    army    retired    to   their    camp;    the 
British    lay  on  their   arms  near    the  field  of  battle.     The- 
loss  of  the  former  was  three  hundred  and  nineteen  ;  that 
of  the  latter    exceeded    five  hundred.     Each    claimed  the 
victory  ;  the  consequences  of  defeat  were  felt  by  the  British 
alone.     Their  hopes  of  success  were  diminished  ;  their  In 
dian  allies,  the  Canadians,  and  tories,  were  disheartened  and 
deserted  them, 

33.  Pressed   on   all  sides,   Burgoyne  made   frequent  and 
urgent  applications  to  sir  -Henry  Clinton,   at  New   York, 
for  aid,  and  informed  him  that,  in  expectation  of  such  aid, 
he  would  maintain  his  present  position  until  the  12th  of  Oc 
tober.    He  diminished  the  allowance  of  provisions  to  his  sol 
diers,  and  having  wailed  until  the  7th,  without  receiving  any 
intelligence  from  Clinton,  determined  to  make  another  trial 
of  strength  with  his  adversary. 

3i.  Ho  mule  dispositions  to  commence  the  action  with 
the  right  wing1  of  his  army ;  Gates,  discovering  his  design, 
made  a  sudden  and  vigorous  attack  upon  the  left.  In  a 
short  time,  the  whole  of  both  armies  were  engaged.  This 
battle  was  furious,  obstinate,  and  more  bloody  than  the  other. 
Arnold  was  eminently  distinguished  for  his  bravery  and 
rashness.  Towards  fright,  the  enemy,  who  had  fought 
with  desperate  valor,  gave  way.  A  part  of  their  works 
were  stormed  and  taken,  and  mo?e  than  two  hundred  men 
mad 3  prisoners. 

35.  Darkness    put    an  end    to    this    action    also.     The 
Americans  lay  upon   their  arms  near  the  enemy's  linos,  in 
tending  to  renew  the  battle  the  next  day ;  but  Burgoyne, 
during  the  night,  withdrew  to  a  stronger  position.     Gates 
forbore  to  pursue,  believing  that  a  bloodless  victory  was  now 
in  his  power. 

36.  In   the   mean   time,  sir   Henry   Clinton    despatched 
general  Vaughan  with  three  thousand  men,  to  endeavor  to 
rolicve  Burgoyne.     He  ascended  the  Hudson,  and  on  the 
sixth    of  October,   assaulted    and   took    fort    Montgomery ; 
bttt   instead  of  hastening  forward,   he   consumed   a   wholo 
week   in  pillaging  and  burning  Esopus,  and  other  flourish 
ing  villages  on   the  river.     He  perhaps  expected  that  this 
wanton  destruction  of  property  would  draw  off  a  part  of  the- 
forces  under  Gates  ;  but  it  had  no  other  effect  than  to  exas 
perate  the  inhabitants. 

37.  Burgoyne,   perceiving    that    his  antagonist  was    en 
deavoring   to   surround    him,    retreated    to   the    heights   of 
Saratoga      The    Americans   pursued   keening    a   sufficient 


1777  ]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  187 

force  on  the  east  bank  of  the  river  to  prevent  him  from 
crossing.  The  situation  of  the  BrHish  troops  was  now  dis. 
tressing  in  the  extreme.  Many  of  their  most  valued  offi 
cers  had  been  killed.  Their  strength  was  exhausted  by 
incessant  exertion  ;  they  were  almost  encircled  by  their 
enemy,  and  were  greatly  annoyed  by  a  continual  and  de 
structive  cannonade.  From  this  forlorn  condition  but  one 
mode  of  escape  remained,  a  forced  march  in  the  night  to 
fort  George.  This  expedient  was  resolved  on,  and  prepara 
tions  were  made  ;  but  the  scouts  sent  out  returned  with  in 
telligence  that  all  the  passes  were  guarded  by  strong  bodies 
of  militia. 

38.  An  account  of  provisions  was  then  taken,  and  a  sup 
ply  for  no  more  than  three  days  was  found  on  hand.     No 
hope  of  rescue  within  that  time  could  be  indulged.     Bur- 
goyne  summoned  his  principal  officers  to  a  council.     It  is 
eaid  that  while   deliberating,  a  cannon  ball  crossed  the  ta 
ble  around  which  they  sat.     By  their  unanimous  advice,  he 
opened  a  negotiation  with  the   American  general,  and  on 
the  17th  of  October,  surrendered  his  whole  army  prisoners 
of  war. 

39.  Great  were  the  rejoicings  occasioned  by  this  glorious 
victory.     Many  supposed  that  it  would  terminate  the  con 
test.     In  the  joy  of  success,  all  feelings  of  resentment  were 
forgotten.     From  regard  to  the  feelings  of  the  vanquished, 
general  Gates,  while  they  were  piling  their  arms,  kept  tho 
victorious  troops  within  his  camp.     The  British  officers,  in 
social  converse  with  the  Americans,  were  led  to  forget  their 
misfortune,  arid  the  troops,  when  on  :thdir  march  to  Massa 
chusetts,  did   not  receive   from   the   people  that  vindictive 
treatment  which  their  distressing  depredations,  and  those  of 
their  fellow  soldiers  under  Vaughan,  would  have  excused,  if 
not  justified. 

40.  Against    this    band    of    marauders,    general    Gates 
marched    soon  after   the  capitulation  was  signed  ;    but  on 
learning  the  fate  of  Burgoyne,  they  retired  to  New  York, 
About    the  same    time,  the    garrison   left   at  Ticonderoga, 
having  rendered  thnir  cannon  useless,  returned  to  Canada, 
and  the  northern  department  was  restored  to  perfect  tran 
quillity. 

41 .  While  tho   exertions  of  the  northern  army  were  re 
warded  by  brilliant  success,  that  of  the  south,  equally  brave 
and   meritorious,  but  enfeebled  by  the  detachments  which 
Washington  generously  spared  to  Gates,  sustained  distres. 
sing  reverses.     The  greatest  was  '"at  Germantown,  in  the 


188  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR  [1777. 

vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  where  the  main  body  of 'the  enemy 
was  stationed. 

42.  Upon  this  body,  at  sunrise,  on  the  4th  of  October,  the 
American   general   made   a  bold   and  vigorous   attack.     So 
sudden  and  spirited,  was  the  onset,  that  the  enemy,  unable 
to  sustain  it,  fled,  and  a  complete  victory  appeared  in  pros, 
pect.     But   six  British   companies,  while   retreating,  threw 
themselves  into  H,  large  stone   house,  from  which,  in  entire 
safety,  they  poured  a   destructive   fire  upon   the   American 
troops.     The  pursuit  was  arrested,  and  much  time  consumed 
in  a  vain  attempt  to  demolish  this  fortress. 

43.  The  fugitives  rallied,  and  turned  upon  the  assailants. 
Confusion   followed,  and   a  thick   fog,  which   that  moment 
arose,    increased    it.     The    different    divisions,    ignorant    of 
the  positions  and  success  of  the  others,  uncertain  even  as  to 
their  own,  acted  with    indecision   and  timidity.     A   retreat 
was   therefore   directed,   and  the  troops   withdrew   in  good 
order. 

44.  In  this  action,  in  which  fortune  snatched  victory  from 
the  grasp  of  the  Americans,  they  sustained  a  loss  of  twelve 
hundred  men  ;  that  of  the  British  was  less  than  six  hundred. 
But  the  vanquished  sustained  no  loss  of  reputation  nor  con 
fidence.     Their  country  applauded   the   boldness  of  the  at 
tempt,  and  the  enemy  felt  higher  respect  for  their  courages 
and  discipline. 

45.  The   British   army  soon  after  left  Germantown,  and 
marched  to  attackrtho  American  posts  on  the  river  Delaware 
below  Philadelphia.    On  the  22d  of  October,  a  body  of  twelve 
hundred   Hessians,  commanded   by  count  Donop,   made  an 
intrepid  assault  upon  the  fortifications  at  Red  Bank.     They 
were    repulsed    with    great    loss,  and;  their    gallant   leader 
killed. 

4G.  Fort  Mifflin,  on  Mud  Island,  was  next  attacked.  For 
six  days  it  was  bravely  defended.  It  was  then  evacuated, 
the  works  having  been  almost  demolished  by  the  enemy's 
artillery.  Preparations  being  made  for  a  second  assault, 
with  a  much  larger  force,  upon  the  post  at  Rod  Bank,  that 
was  also  evacuated,  and  thus  was  opened  a  free  communica 
tion  between  the  British  army  and  their  fleet,  which  had 
sailed  round  to  the  mouth  of  the  Delaware. 

47.  After  several  movements  of  the  respective  armies, 
which  had  no  important  result,  general  Washington  with, 
drew  to  winter  quarters  in  the  woods  of  Valley  Forge.  His 
troops  were  destitute  of  shoes,  and  might  have  been  tracked 
by  the  blood  of  their  feet.  Th&y  passed  the  winter  in  huts, 


1777.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  189 

suffered  extreme  distress  from  want  of  clothing  and  of  food, 
but  endured  their  privations  without  a  murmur.  How  strong 
must  have  been  their  love  of  liberty  !  With  what  lively 
gratitude  ought  a  prosperous  country,  indebted  to  them  for 
the  most  valuable  blessings,  to  remember  their  sufferings 
and  services  ! 


CHAPTER  XX. 

CAMPAIGN  OF  1778. 

WHILE  the  American  armies  were  contending  in  the  field, 
or  suffering  in  the  camp,  congress  were  occupied  in  the  per 
formance  of  duties  important  to  the  cause  of  independence. 
At  first,  this  body  possessed  no  powers,  but  such  as  were 
conferred  by  the  credentials  arid  instructions  given,  by  the 
state  legislatures,  to  their  respective  delegates.  Early  in. 
1776,  a  confederation  of  the  states  was  proposed  ;  but  until 
the  15th  of  November,  1777,  all  the  obstacles  to  the  measure 
could  not  be  surmounted. 

2.  The  "  Articles  of  Confederation"  then  adopted  by  con 
gress,  and  subsequently  ratified   by  the  several   assemblies, 
bound  the  states  in  a  firm  league  of  friendship  with  each 
other,  for  their  common  defence  and   the  security  of  their 
liberties.     Delegates  were   to  be  annually  appointed,  who, 
when   assembled  in  congress,  were,  authorized  to  carry  on 
war,  to  make   peace,  and   to  exercise  the   powers  of  sove 
reignty  in  relation  to  foreign  nations.     They  were  also  au 
thorized  to  determine  the  number  of  men,  and  the  amount 
of  money  to  be  raised,  and  to  assign  to  each  state  its  just 
proportion. 

3.  But  so  unwilling  were  the   states  to  relinquish  their 
recently  assumed   independence,   that  they  withheld   from 
congress  the  authority  to  make   laws  which  should  operate 
directly  upon  the   people  ;  and  reserved  to  themselves  the 
sole  right  of  raising  their  proportions  of  money  in  such  man 
ner  as  each  might  deem  most  expedient. 

4.  Congress  also  effected   a  thorough  reform  of  the  com 
missary  department,  in  which  scandalous  frauds  had  been 
committed.     And  in  order  to  introduce  a  uniform  system  of 
tactics  and  discipline,  they  resolved  that  an  inspector-general 
should  be  appointed.     Subsequently  they  elected  to  that  of- 


190  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1778. 

fice  the  baron  Steuben,  a  native  of  Prussia,  who  had  served 
in  a  high  station  in  the  army  of  Frederic  the  Great,  and  was 
well  versed  in  the  system  of  manoeuvres  introduced  by  that 
celebrated  commander. 

5.  The  signal  victory  at  Saratoga  exalted  the  reputation 
of  the  confederated  states,  in  every  part  of  Europe.     The 
French  ministry  no  longer  hesitated  to  acknowledge  their 
independence.     On   the   6th  of  February,  they  concluded, 
with  the  American  commissioners,  treaties  of  commerce  and 
of  alliance,    in   which   they   generously   assented   to   terms 
highly  advantageous  to  the  states.     This  event,  so  flattering 
to  the  hopes  and   the  pride   of  the  people,  occasioned  the 
liveliest  joy,  and  the  most  ardent  gratitude  to  France. 

6.  Among  the  people  of  Great  Britain,  the  defeat  of  their 
favorite  general  produced  astonishment,  dismay,  and  indig 
nation.     The   most   brilliant  success   was   anticipated  ;  the 
most  ignominious  result  had  occurred.     The  pride  of  the 
nation  was  humbled,  and  they  who  had   disapproved  of  the 
war,  poured  upon  the  ministry  a  torrent  of  invective.     To 
increase  the  bitterness  of  their  chagrin,  they  soon  learned 
the  course  which  their  hereditary  enemy  and  rival  had  re 
solved  to  pursue. 

7.  It  was  now  determined,  in   the   cabinet,  to   grant  to 
America  all  that  she  had  demanded,  in  the  beginning  of  the 
contest.    An  act  was  passed,  declaring  that  parliament  would 
not,  in  future,  impose  any  tax  upon  the  colonies  ;  and  com 
missioners  were  sent  over,  authorized  to  proclaim  a  repeal 
of  all  the  offensive  statutes,  and  to  treat  with  the  constituted 
authorities  of  America. 

8.  The    commissioners,    arriving    at    Philadelphia   in  the 
spring,  communicated  to  congress  the  terms  offered  by  Great 
Britain,  which  were  at  once  unanimously  rejected.     Failing 
in  the  use  of  direct   and   honorable  means,  they  attempted 
bribery  and  corruption.     To  Joseph  Reed,  a  general  in  the 
army  and  a.  member  of  congress,  an  offer  was  made  of  ten 
thousand  pounds  sterling,  and  any  office  within  his  majesty's 
gift  in  the  colonies,  if  he  would  endeavor  to  effect  a  reunion 
of  the  two  countries.     "  I  am  not  worth  purchasing,"  he 
nobly  replied,   "  but  such  as  I  am,  the  king  of  Great  Britain 
is  not  rich  enough  to  do  it." 

9.  On  receiving  official   notification  of  the  treaties  con 
cluded  with  her  revolted   colonies,  Great   Britain  declared 
war  against   France  ;  and   the  ministry,  presuming  that  as. 
sistarice  would  be  sent  them,  transmitted  orders  by  the  corn- 
missioriers,  that   Philadelphia  should  be  evacuated,  and  the 


1778.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  191 

royal  troops  concentrated  at  New  York.  The  execution  of 
these  orders  devolved  upon  sir  Henry  Clinton,  who,  general 
Howe  having  resigned,  had  been  appointed  commander-in 
ch  ief.  On  the  18th  of  June,  the  enemy  quitted  the  city, 
and  marched  slowly  eastward. 

10.  Washington,  leaving  his  huts  in  the  forest,  hung  upon 
the  rear  of  the  British  army,  watching  for  a  favorable  oppor 
tunity  to  offer  battle.     On  arriving  at  Monrnouth,  in  New 
Jersey,  general  Lee,  who  had  lately  been  exchanged,  was 
ordered  to  take  the   command  of  five  thousand  men,  and, 
early  in  the   morning  of  the  28th,  unless  there   should  be 
powerful  reasons  to  the  contrary,  to  commence  an  attack. 
He  was  assured,  that  the  residue  of  the  army  should  follow 
and  give  him  support. 

11.  Lee  made  dispositions  to  attack  accordingly,  but  per 
ceiving  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  returning  to  meet  him, 
he  retreated.     Washington,  advancing  to  render  the  pro 
mised   support,   saw   him    retiring,   rode    forward,   and   ad 
dressed  him  in  language  implying  disapprobation  of  his  con 
duct.     He  then  directed  him  to  form   his  men  on  ground 
which  he  pointed  out,  and  there  oppose  the  progress  of  the 
enemy. 

12.  These  ordeus  were  executed  with  firmness.     A  warm 
engagement  ensued,  and  Lee,  when  forced  from  the  ground, 
brought  off  his  troops  in  good  order.     Washington,  at  this 
moment,  arrived  with   the   main   body  of  his  army,  which 
joined  in  the  action,  and  compelled  the  enemy  to  fall  back 
to  the  position  from  which  Lse  had  been  driven. 

13.  The  day  had  beon  intensely  hot;  it  was  now  almost 
dark,  and  the  troops  were  much  fatigued.     Further  opera 
tions  were  therefore  deferred  until  the  next  morning.     In 
the   night,  sir  Henry  Clinton  silently  left  his  position,  and 
continued  his  march  to  New  York.     His  loss  amounted  to 
near  five  hundred  men  ;  that   of  tho  Americans  to  three 
hundred.      Heat    and   excessive    fatigue    proved    fatal    to 
many. 

14.  Leo,  irritable  and  proud,  could  not  forget  the  manner 
in  which  Washington  had  addressed  him  ;  and  in  two  pas 
sionate  letters,  demanded  reparation.     A  court  martial  was 
instituted  ;  he  was  found  guilty  of  misconduct  on  the  day  of 
battle,  and  of  disrespect  to  the  commander-in-chief,  and  was 
suspended   from  command   for  one  year.     He  nevor  after 
wards  joined  the  army,  but  died  in  seclusion  just  before  the 
close  of  the  war. 

15.  The  enemy  having  entered  New  York,  Washington 


192  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1778. 

conducted  his  army  to  White  Plains.  Congress  returned  to 
Philadelphia  ;  and  in  July  received,  with  inexpressible  joy, 
a  letter  from  the  count  d'Estaing,  announcing  his  arrival  on 
the  coast  of  the  United  States,  with  a  large  fleet,  which  had 
been  sent,  by  the  king  of  France,  to  assist  them  in  their 
struggle  for  independence. 

16.  The  count  intended  to  surprise  admiral  Howe  in  the 
Delaware,  but  adverse  winds  detained  him  on  the  passage, 
until   the  British  fleet  had  sailed  for  New  York.     He  ap 
peared  before  that  harbor,  but  on  sounding  found  that  his 
largest  ships  could  not.  enter  it.    A  combined  attack,  by  land 
and  water,  upon  the  British  forces  at  Newport,  in  Rhode 
Island,  was  then  projected. 

17.  General  Sullivan,  who  had  been  appointed  to  com- 
mand  the  troops,  called  upon  the  militia  of  New  England 
to  aid   him    in    the  enterprise.     His  army  soon  amounted 
to    ten  thousand    men,  and,  as    he  was  supported    by  the 
fleet,  he  felt  confident  of  success.     On  the  ninth  of  August, 
he    took   a   position  on    the   north    end  of  Rhode    Island, 
and    afterwards     moved     nearer    to     Newport.      Admiral 
Howe,  having  received  a  reinforcement,  now  appeared  bo 
fore  the  harbor,  and  the  count  instantly  put  to  sea  to  attack 
him. 

18.  While  making  the  preparatory  manoeuvres,  a  furious 
storm  came  on,  which  damaged   and   dispersed  both  fleets. 
As  soon   as  the   weather  would    permit,  each   commander 
sought  the  port  from  which  he  had  sailed.     The  army,  in 
tent  upon  their  cwn  object,  witnessed  with  joy  the  return  of 
the  French  fleet ;  and  great  was  their  disappointment  when 
the  count  announced  his  intention  of  proceeding  to  Boston 
to  refit.     The  American  officers  remonstrated,  but  he  was 
inflexible,  and  departed. 

19.  The   army,  deserted   by  the   fleet,   could  remain   no 
longer,  with  safety,  on  the  island,  as  the  enemy  might  easily 
transport,  by  water,  large   reinforcements  from  New  York 
to  Newport.     General  Sullivan  immediately  retreated  to  his 
first  position.     He  was  pursued,  and,  shortly  after  halting, 
was  attacked  by  the  enemy.     They  were  gallantly  resisted 
and  repulsed  with  loss. 

20.  The  next  day,  the  two  armies  cannonaded  each  other, 
and  the  succeeding  night  the  American  general,  deceiving 
the  enemy  by  a  show  of  resistance  to  the  last,  made  a  skil 
ful  retreat  to  the  continent.     A  few  hours  afterwards,  the 
British   received  sndi  an  augmentation  of  their  force,  that 
all  resistance,  on  the   part  of  tho  Americans,  wouid  have 


1778.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  193 

been  vain.     At  the   close   of  the  season,  the   French  fleet 
sailed  to  tha  West  Indies. 

21.  During  this  year,  the  British  troops  and  their  allies 
displayed,  in  several  instances,  a  degree  of  barbarity  seldom 
equalled  in  contests  between  civilized  nations.     That  they 
were  contending  against  revolted  subjects,  seemed  to  release 
them,  in  their  view,  from  all  regard  to  the  common  usages 
of  war.     The  late  alliance  with   France,  the  hated  rival  of 
their  nation,  increased  their  hostility.     Instead  of -striving 
to  conquer  an  honorable  foe,  they  thirsted  as  for  vengeance 
on  a  criminal  and  outlaw. 

22.  With  such  vindictive  feelings,  Wyoming,  a  happy  and 
flourishing   settlement  in   Pennsylvania,  was  attacked  by  a 
band  of  tories  and   Indians.     The  men  were  butchered,  the 
liouses  burned,  and  the  cattle  driven  off  or  killed.     Those 
who  had  been  rnads  widows  and  orphans  were  left  without 
shelter  and  without  food.     Seldom  has  war  spread  distress 
and    ruin    over   a  inoro    delightful  region.     New   Bedford, 
Martha's  Vineyard,  Egg-harbor,  and  Cherryvalley,  were  also 
visited  and -ravaged  by  the  enemy.     Alt  the  property  within 
reach   was  destroyed,    and   multitudes  of  peaceful   and  un 
offending  inhabitants  were  reduced  to  poverty  arid  wretch 
edness. 

23.  But  in  no  instance  did  the  enemy  evince  inoro  frro- 
•cious,  unrelenting  cruelty  than  in  their  attack  upon  colonel 
Baylor's  troop  of  light  dragoons.     While  asleep  in  a  burn  at 
Tappan.  they  *vere  surprised  by  a  party  under  general  Givy, 
who  commanded  his  soldiers  to  use  the  bayonet  only,  and  to 
give  the  rebels  no  quarter.    .Incapable  of  defence,  they  guod 
for  mercy.     But  the  most  pathetic  supplications  were  heard 
without  awakening  compassion  in  the  commander.     Nearly 
one    half  of  the    troop    were    killed.     To   many,    repeated 
thrusts  were  barbarously  given  as  long  as  signs  of  life  re 
m  ai.nod.      Several    who    had    nine,    ten,    and    eleven    stabs 
through  the  body,  and  were  left  for  dead,  afterwards  reco 
vered.     A   few  escaped,  arid   forty  were   saved   by  the   hu 
manity  of  a  British  captain,  who  dared  to  disobey  the  orders 
of  his  general. 

24.  Late  in  the  fall,  the  army  under  Washington  erected 
huts    near    Middlebrook,   in    New    Jersey,  in    which    they 
passed  the  winter.     In  this  campaign,  but  little  on  either 
side  was    accomplished.     The   alliance  with    France    gave 
birth  to  expectations  which  events  did  not  fuliil ;  yet  th^ 
presence  of  her  fleets  on  the  co:;st  deranged  the  plans  of 
the  enemy,  and  induced  them  to  relinquish  a  part  of  their 

17 


194  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [177 

conquests.  At  the  close  of  the  year,  it  was  apparent  that 
Great  Britain  had  made  no  progress  in  the  accomplishment 
of  her  purposes. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1779. 

THE  campaign  of  1779  was  distinguished  by  a  change  o? 
the  theatre  of  war  from  the  northern  to  the  southern  section 
of  the  confederacy.  Thither  the  enemy  were  invited  by 
the  prospect  of  easier  victory.  The  country  was  rendered 
weak  by  ils  scattered  population,  by  the  multitude  of 
slaves,  and  by  the  number  of  tories  intermingled  with  the 
whigs. 

2.  N",ar  the  close  of  the  preceding  year,  lieutenant-colonel 
Campbell,  with  2500   men,  sailed   from  New  York  to  the 
coast  of  Georgia,  and  landed  his  troops.     Marching  towards 
Savannah,  the  capital,  he  met  on  his  route  a  small  body  of 
Americans,  whom  he  defeated,  and  immediately  took  pos. 
session  of  the  city.     A  detachment  from  Florida  under  ge 
neral  Prevost  invested  Sunbury,  which,  after  the  fall  of  the 
capital,  surrendered   at.  discretion.      These  were  the  only 
military  posLs  in  Georgia.     All  the  troops  that  could  escape 
retreated  into  South  Carolina. 

3.  Soon  after  the  conquest  of  Georgia,  general  Lincoln 
took    command  of  the    American   troops    in  the    southern 
department.     In  April,  leaving  South  Carolina,  he  marched 
into  the  interior  of  Georgia  ;  upon  which  the  British  army, 
entering    the  state    he    had    left,  invested    Charleston,  tho 
capital.     Lincoln  hastened  buck  to  its  defence.     On  hearing 
of  his  approach,  the  enemy  retired  to  Stono  ferry.     Thither 
Lincoln  pursued  them.     An  indecisive  action  was  fought; 
and  a  few  days  afterwards,  they  continued  their  retreat  to 
Savannah. 

4.  Tho   heat  of  the  season  suspended   further  operations 
until  September.     Count  d'Estaing,  with   a  fleet  carrying 
6000  troops,  then  arrived  on  the  coast.     The  two  armies, 
in  concert,  laid  siege  to  Savannah.     At  the  expiration  of 
a.  month,  the  count,    impatient  of  delay,   insisted  that  the 
siege    should    bo    abandoned,   or    that    a  combined    assault 
upon    the    enemy's    works    should    immediately   be    made. 
General    Lincoln    determined    upon    an    assault.      Great 


1776.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  195 

gallantry  was  displayed  by  the  French  and  American,  but 
greater  by  the  British  troops.  They  repulsed  the  assail 
ants,  killing  and  wounding  nearly  a  thousand  men,  and 
sustaining,  on  their  part,  but  little  loss.  The  count  Pulas- 
ki,  a  celebrated  Polish  nobleman,  in  the  service  of  the 
states,  was  mortally  wounded.  The  next  day  tiie  siege  was 
raised,  the  French  returning  home,  and  the  Americans  to 
South  Carolina. 

5.  In  the   miilst  of  these  events,  general  Matthews,  sail 
ing  from  New  York,  conducted   an  expedition   against  Vir 
ginia.     On  tiie   10th  of  May,   he  took  possession  of  Ports, 
mouth    without    opposition,  and    ravaged,   for    two  weeks, 
that  city  and  the  adjacent  country.     The  booty  obtained, 
and  the  property  destroyed,  were  of  immense  value.     Be 
fore    the   expiration    of  May,   the    party   returned  to  New 
York. 

6.  Early  in  the  season,  Colonel  Clarke,  of  Virginia,  who 
was  stationed  at  Kaskaskia,  on   the    Mississippi,    achieved 
an    enterprise    conspicuous     for    boldness    of    design,    and 
evin3ing    uncommon    hardihood    in    its    execution.      With 
only  one   hundred  and  thirty  men,  he  penetrated  through 
the    wilderness,  to    St.  Vincents,    a    British    post    on    the 
W abash,  in.   the    heart  of  the  Indian  country.     His  route 
lay  across    deep  swamps    and   morasses.     For  four  or  fivo 
miles  tha  party  waded  through  water,  often   as  high  as  the 
breast.     After  a  march  of  sixteen  days,   they  reached  the 
town,  which,  having  no  intimation  Upf  their  approach,  sur 
rendered  without   resistance.     A  short  time  after,  the  fort 
capitulated.     This   fortunate   achievement  arrested   an   ex 
pedition  which  the  enemy  had  projected  against  the  frontiers 
of  Virginia,  and  detached  several  tribes  of  Indians  from  the 
British  interest. 

7.  The  atrocities  committed  at  Wyoming,  and  aj;  several 
settlements    in    New    York,    cried    aloud    for  vengeance. 
Congress,  assembling   an   army  of  4000  men.  gave  the  com 
mand  of  it  to  general  Sullivan,  and  directed  him,  to  conduct 
it   into  the   country   inhabited  by  the  savages,    and   retort 
upon    them   their  own  system    of  warfare.     Of  this  army, 
one   division    marched    from  the  Mohawk,  tho  other  from 
Wyoming,  arid  both  forming  a  junction  on   the  Susquehan- 
nah,  proceeded,  on  the  22d  of  August,  towards  the  Seneca 
lake. 

8.  On    an    advantageous    position,  the    Intiians,  in    con 
junction    with     200    torir^s,    had    erected    fortifications    to 
oppose  their  progress.     These  were  assaulted ;  the  enemy, 


196  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1779. 

after  a  slight  resistance,  gave  way,  arid  disappeared  in  tho 
woods.  As  the  army  advanced  into  the  western  part  of  the 
state  of  New  York,  that  region  now  so  fertile  and  populous, 
the  Indians  deserted  their  towns,  the  appearance  of  which 
denoted  a  higher  state  of  civilization  than  had  ever  before 
been  witnessed  in  the  North  American  wilderness.  The 
houses  were  commodious ;  the  apple  and  peach-trees  numer 
ous,  and  the  crops  of  corn  then  growing  abundant.  All  were 
destroyed  ;  not  a  vestige  of  human  industry  was  permitted  to  * 
exist., 

9.  Having  accomplished  this  work  of  vengeance,  severe 
but  deserved,  and  essential  to  the  future  sufcty  of  the  whites, 
general  Sullivan  returned  to  E;iston,  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  arrived  about  the  middle  of  October.  His 
whole  loss,  by  sickness  and  the  enemy,  amounted  to  but 
forty  men. 

'10.  On  the  first  of  July,  general  Tryon  sailed  from  New 
York  with  a  large  body  of  troops,  and  landing  on  the  coast 
of  Connecticut,  plundered  New  Haven,  and  laid  Fail-field 
and  Norwalk  in  ashes.  Bc-.fore  his  return,  general  Wayne, 
with  a  detachment  from  the  American  army,  made  a  daring 
assault  upon  Stony  Point,  a  strongly  fortified  post  on  tho 
^Hudson.  About  twelve  at  night,  the  troops,  with  unloaded 
rnuskets,  arrived  before  the  lines.  They  were  received  with 
a  tremendous  discharge  of  grape-shot  and  musketry.  Rush- 
ing  forward,  they  mounted  the  walls,  and,  using  tne  bayonet 
only,  were  soon  in  complete  possession  of  the  fort. 

11.  A  more  gallant  exploit   has  seldom  been  performed ; 
and  the  humanity  of  the   victors  was   equal  to  their  valor. 
Notwithstanding   the   devastations   in  Connecticut,  and  the 
butchery  of  Baylor's  troop,  the  scene  of  which  was  near,  not 
an  individual  suffered  after  resistance    had  ceased.     Of  the 
enemy,  sixty  were  killed,  and  upwards  of  five  hundred  ma  do 
prisoners.     The  loss  of  the   Americans  was   comparatively 
small.  .  A  gold  medal,  presented  by  congress,  rewarded  the 
heroism  of  the  victor. 

12.  In  September,  a  bloody  naval  battle  was  fought,  near 
the  coast  of  Scotland,  in  which  John  Paul  Jones  acquired  the 
reputation  of  a  daring  and  fortunate  commander.     He  was  a 
Scotchman  by  birth,  but  had  been   appointed  by  the  Ameri- 
can  congress,  a  captain  in  their  navy,  and  then  commanded 
a  squadron  fitted  out  in  the  ports  of  France.     At  half  pas* 
seven  in  the  evening,  his  own  ship,  the  Bon  Homrne  Rich 
ard,  of  40  guns,  engaged  the  Serapis,  a  British  frigate  of  44 
After  the  action  had  continued  an  hour,  the  two  frigates  ap 


1779.1  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR*.  197 

preached  so  near  to  each  other  that  Jones,  seizing  the  op 
portunity,  lashed  them  together.. 

13.  The  battle    now  became    furious,  and    the    carnage 
horrible.     The  Serapis  was  on  fire  not  less  than  ten  times  ; 
and  often  both  frigates  were  on  fire  at  the  same  moment, 
presenting  a  sublime  and  dreadful    spectacle.     At  length, 
the  Alliance,  one  of  Jones's   squadron,   came  to  his  assist. 
ance  ;  but  the   two   frigates  being  fastened  together,  many 
of  her  shot  struck  the  Bon  Homme  Richard.     At  ten  o'clock, 
the  Serapis   surrendered.      Her    successful  antagonist  was 
so  shattered,  that   the   crew  were  obliged  to  leave  her  im 
mediately,   and   she  soon   after  sunk.     The    Pallas,   which 
was  also  one  of  Jories?s  squadron,  engaged  at.  the  same  lime 
and  captured  the  Countess  of  Scarborough.     The  squadron, 
with  the  prizes,  then  sailed  for  Holland,  and  arrived  there  in 
safety. 

14.  At  the  close  of  the  season,  the  northern  army  retired 
into  winter  quarters,  one  division  near  Morristown,  in  New 
Jersey,  and  the  other  in  tiie  vicinity  of  West  Point,  an  im 
portant  post  in   the  highlands.     Here   they  endured  severe 
and  constant  suffering  from  cold,  and  nakedness,  and  hun 
ger.     Sometimes  half  the  usual  allowance,  often  less,  was 
distributed  to  the  troops  ;  and  more  than  once  the  provisions 
were  wholly  exhausted. 

15.  Application  for  relief  was  made  to  the  magistrates 
of  the  neighborhood,  and  intimations  were  given  that  pro 
visions,  s/j  pressing  were  the  wants  of  the  army,  would  be 
seized  by  force,  if  not  furnished  voluntarily.     The  rnagis 
trates  promptly  attended  to  the  call.     They  levied  contribu 
tions  arbitrarily  from  the  people,  who  submitted  to  these  ex 
actions  writh   a  degree  of  patriotism  equalled  only  by  that 
displayed  by  the  soldiers  in  the  patient  endurance  of  dis 
tress. 

16.  Derangement  in  the  finances  produced  these  suffer 
ings.     Large  sums  had  been  annually  raised  and  expended ; 
and  the  ability  of  the  people  to  pay  taxes  had  progressively 
decreased.     To  supply  deficiencies,   paper  money,    to    the 
amount  of  about  one   hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  dollars, 
had  been  issued.     This   gradually  depreciated,   and,  at  the 
close  of  1779,  thirty  dollars  in  paper  were  of  no  more  value 
than  one  in  specie.     To  purchase  provisions  with  this  money 
was  at  first  difficult,  and  then  impossible  ;  and  congress  now 
found  their  funds  and  their  credit  exhausted. 

17.  A  change  of  system  was  necessary.     For  the  supply 
of  the  army,  each  state  was  directed  to  furnish  a  certain 


198  REVOLUTIONARY  WAa.  [1780 

quantity  of  provisions  and  forage.  Loans  were  solicited 
from  the  people,  and  nearly  a  million  of  dollars  was  raised 
by  bills  drawn  upon  the  American  agents  in  Europe,  in  an- 
ticipation  of  loans  which  they  had  been  authorized  to  pro- 
cure.  These  expedients  afforded  but  temporary  arid  partial 
relief. 

18.  No  class  of  persons  suffered  more  from  the  deprecia 
tion  of  paper  money  than  the  army,  and  especially  the  offi 
cers.  The  pay,  even  those  of  the  highest  grade,  was  render 
ed  insufficient  to  provide  them  with  the  necessary  clothing. 
Discontent  began  to  pervade  the  whole  army.  It  required 
all  the  enthusiastic  patriotism  which  distinguishes  the  sol 
dier  of  principle ;  all  that  ardent  attachment  to  freedom 
which  brought  them  into  the  field;  all  the  influence  of  the 
commander-in-chiof,  whom  they  almost  adored,  to  retain  in 
the  service  men  who  felt  themselves  cruelly  neglected  by  the 
country  whose  battles  they  fought. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1780. 

THE  first  military  operations  of  the  enemy,  in  the  year 
1780,  were  directed  against  Charleston,  t'ie  Capital  of 
South  Carolina.  In  the  beginning  of  February,  sir  Henry 
Clinton  appeared  before  that  place,  at  the  head  of  a  part  of 
his  army.  The  assembly,  which  was  thrn  sitting,  delegated 
to  governor  Rutledge,  a  patriot  of  splendid  talents,  and  to  his 
council,  "  the  power  to  do  every  thing  necessary  for  the  public 
good,  except  taking  away  the  life  of  a  citizen,"  and  adjourn 
ed.  Armed  with  this  extraordinary  power,  he  made  great 
exertions  to  call  into  action  the  strength  of  the  state,  and  to 
place  its  capital  in  a  posture  of  defence. 

2.  The  people  of  the  country  disregarded  his  repeated  calls. 
Not  more  than  two  hundred  repaired  to  Charleston.     The 
garrison,  commanded  by  general  Lincoln,  consisted  of  a  body 
of  militia  from  the  country,  of  the  citizens,  of  one  thousand 
North  Carolina  militia,  ai:d  of  two  thousand  regulars.     The 
number  of  the  enemy,  when  all  their  reinforcements  had  ar 
rived,  amounted  to  nine  thousand. 

3.  On  the  first  of  April  the   siege  was  begun  in  form,  by 
the  erection  of  works  at  the  distance  of  eleven  hundred 


1780.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  J9& 

yards  from -the  city.  'On  the  9th,  the  fleet,  propelled  by  a 
strong  wind,  passed  the  forts  on  Sullivan's  island,  without 
stopping  toTctum  their  fire,  and  gained  entire  command  of 
the  harbor.  On  the  14th,  lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton  sur 
prised  a  body  of  cavalry,  which,  to  preserve  a  communica 
tion  with  thevcountry,  had  been  stationed  "at  Monk's  Corner. 
Soon  after,  batteries  were  erected  near  the  *  city,  from  which 
the  fire  was  incessant  and  destructive. 

4.  An  offer  to  capitulate  was  then  made ;  but  the  British 
commander  refused  to   accept  the  terms  proposed.     On  his 
part,  terms  were  offered,  which  were  rejected  by  general  Lin 
coln.     Tiie  siege  was  then  pressed  with  increased  vigor,  and 
approaches  made   to  within  rnusket-shot  of  the  American 
lines.     The  soldiers  within  were  often  killed  at  their  guns  by 
the  enemy's  marksmen. 

5.  The  citizens  whose  intercession   had  induced   general 
Lincoln  to  determine  to   defend   the  place,  perceiving  that 
preparations  for  an  assault  were  in  forwardness,  and  seeing 
no  hope  of  relief  or  escape,  now  requested  him  to  accept  the 
terms   which    sir   Henry   Clinton    had    proposed.      A    ne 
gotiation    between    the  two    commanders    was,    in    conse 
quence,  opened,  and,  on  the  12lh   of  May,  the  capitulation 
was  signed. 

6.  The  capital  having  surrendered,  measures  were  adopt 
ed  to  overawe  the  inhabitants  of  the  country,  and  induce 
them  to  return  to  their   allegiance  to  the  king.     Garrisons 
were  placed  in  different  parts  of  the   state,  and  2000  men 
were  despatched   towards  North   Carolina,  to  repel  several 
parties  of  militia,  who  were  hastening  to  the  relief  ofCharles- 
ton.     Colonel  Tarltori,  making  a  'rapid  march  of  one  hun 
dred  and  five  miles  in  fifty-four  hours,  rnct,  at  the  Woxhaws, 
and  attacked  one  -of  these   parties,    commanded  by  colonel 
Buford.      His  force,  being   superior,  was  soon  victorious. 
The  vanquished,   ceasing  to  resist,    implored    for   quarter. 
Their  cries  were  disregarded.     Upwards  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  were  killed,  or  too  badly  wounded  to  be  removed  from 
the  field.     This  barbarous  massacre  spread  dismay  through 
out  the  country,  and  gave  a  sanguinary  character  to  future 
conflicts. 

7.  To  avoid  being  treated  as  enemies,  the  greater  part 
of  the  inhabitants  either  gave  their  parole  as  prisoners, 
or  submitted  to  become  subjects  of  the  king.  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  afterwards,  by  proclamation,  discharged  the 
former  from  their  parole,  and  called  upon  all  to  embody 


200  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1780 

as  militia  in  the  service  of  Great  Britain.  Indignant  at 
this  dishonorable  conduct,  which  left  them  only  the  alter 
native  of  righting  for  or  against  their  country,  multitudes, 
seizing  their  arms,  resolved  on  a  vindictive  war  with  their 
invaders. 

8.  A  party,  who  had  taken  refuge  in  North  Carolina,  chose 
uolonel  Sumpter  their  leader.     At  the  head  of  these,  he  re 
turned  to  his  own  state,  attacked  and   defeated  several  scat 
tered  detachments  from  the  British   army.     In  one  engage- 
ment,  so  decisive  was   his  victory,   that  nine  only  out  ot 
nearly  three  hundred   escaped.     By  a  succession  of  gallant 
enterprises,  he  reanimated  the  friends  of  freedom,  and  a  spi 
rit  of  determined  hostility  to  Gr,eat  Britain  was  again  mani. 
fested  in  every  part  of  the  state. 

9.  This  spirit  was  cherished  by  the   approach,  from  the 
north,  of  4000  men,  principally  continentals,  under  the  com 
mand  of  general  Gates.     On    their  march  through  a  sterile 
country,  they  endured  all  the  evils  and  distresses  of  extreme 
famine.     Lord  Cornwallis,  whom  Clinton,  on  his  return  to 
New  York,  had  left  commander-in-chief,  hastened  to  oppose, 
in  person,  this  victorious  general.     He  placed  himself  at  the 
head  of  two  thousand  veteran  troops  who  had   before  been 
stationed  at  Camden,  on  the  northern  border  of  the  state. 

10.  On  the  night  of  the  15th  of  August,  he  marched,  with 
his  whole  force,  to  attack  the  Americans  in  their  camp  at 
Clermont.     They,   at  the   same   hour,   began    to    move  to 
wards  Camden.     The  advanced  parties  met  in  the  night,  and 
engaged.     In  several  skirmishes  which  took  place,  the  Bri 
tish  obtained  the  advantage.     This  made  a  deep  impression 
on  the  militia,  whose  spirits  were  depressed  by  gloomy  fore 
bodings. 

1L  When  the  morning  dawned,  the  enemy  advanced  to 
the  attack.  At  the  first  onset  the  Virginia  militia  fled 
from  the  field,  and  their  example  was  followed  by  others. 
The  continentals,  though  left  alone  to  contend  with  supe 
rior  numbers,  maintained  the  conflict  with  great  firmness. 
For  a  short  time,  they  had  the  advantage  of  their  opponents, 
but  were  at  length  overpowered,  and  the  flight  became 
general. 

12.  The  fugitives  were  pursued  by  Tarleton's  legion, 
with  relentless  fury.  When  all  were  killed,  captured  or 
dispersed,  the  pursuers,  with  speed  unchecked,  took  the 
route  towards  Sumpter's  encampment.  This  active  par. 
tisan,  who  had  lately  been  victorious  in  a  skirmish,  retreat- 


1780.1  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  201 

sd  precipitately  on  hearing  of  tho  defeat  of  Gates.  At  tho 
Catawba  ford,  supposing1  he  was  beyond  danger,  be  baited, 
that  bis  troops,  who  were  fatigued,  might  repose.  His  sen. 
tinels  slept  at  their  posts,  and  the  legion  rode  into  his  camp 
before  preparations  could  be  made  for  defence.  Between 
three  and  four  hundred  were  killed  or  wounded.  The  re 
mainder  were  dispersed  in  the  woods ;  three  hundred  prison. 
ers  were  released ;  all  the  baggage  and  stores  fell  into  the 
power  of  the  victors. 

18.  Again  supposing  the  state  to  be  subdued.  Cornwallis 
adopted  measures  of  extreme  severity  to  suppress  every  latent 
inclination  to  revolt.  He  directed  that  all  who,  having  once 
submitted,  had  lately  given  aid  to  the  armies  of  congress, 
should  be  deprived  of  their  property  and  imprisoned;  and 
that  all  who  had  once  borne  arms  with  the  British,  and  af 
terwards  joined  the  Americans,  should  suffer  death.  In  con. 
sequence  of  these  orders,  several  were  executed,  and  many 
were  reduced  to  poverty  and  wretchedness. 

14.  In  these  times  of  confusion  and  distress,  the  mischie 
vous  effects   of  slavery  in   facilitating  the   conquest   of  the 
country,  became  apparent.     As  the  slaves  had  no  interest  at 
stake,  the  subjugation  of  the  states  was  a  matter  of  no  con- 
sequence  to  them.     Instead  of  aiding  in  its  defence,  they,  by 
a  variety  of  means,  threw  the  weight  of  their  little  influence 
into  the  opposite  scale. 

15.  There  were  yet  some  citizens,  who,  in  all  fortunes, 
adhered  with   firmness  to  tho   cause  of  independence.     Of 
these,  in   one   part   of  the  state,   general   Sumpter  was  the 
leader,   in   another,   general   Marion.      The  cavalry  of  the 
latter  were  so  destitute   of  the   weapons  of  war,   that  they 
were  obliged  to  cut  their  swords  from  the  saws  of  the  saw 
mills.       He    was    so    successful    in  concealing    himself  in 
woods  and  marshes,  that  the    enemy  were    never    able    to 
attack  or  discover  him.     From  these  dark  retreats  he  often 
sallied  forth,  and    fell    unexpectedly  upon    parties    of   the 
enemy,  when  marching  through  the  country,  or  posted  in 
garrisons  to  overawe  the  inhabitants.     In  one  of  these  sallies, 
he  released  one   hundred  and  fifty  continentals   captured  at 
Camden.     His  repeated  and  successful  excursions  preserved 
alive  the  spirit  of  resistance,  and  his  high  fame  as  a  partisan 
was  never  tarnished  by  any  violation  of  the  laws  of  war  or 
humanity. 

16.  Of  those  who  submitted  through  fear,  or  from  attach 
ment  to  the  royal  cause,  major  Ferguson,  a  British  officer  of 
distinguished   merit,  was   appointed    commander.     He  was 


202  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1780. 

despatched,  by  Cornwallis,  into  the  western  part  of  North 
Carolina,  where,  other  tories  joining  him,  his  force  was  aug 
mented  to  1400,  men.  An  enterprise  against  this  party  was 
concerted  by  the  commanders  of  the  mililia,  in  the  adjacent 
parts  of  the  two  Carolina*;  and  Virginia.  About,  the  first  of 
October,  they,  by  great  exertions,  assembled  3000  men  at, 
Gilbert-town.  From  these,  fifteen  hundred  choice  riflemen 
were  selected ;  who.  mounted  on  the  best  horses,  hastened  to 
the  attack  of  Ferguson. 

17.  He  awaited  them  on  the    top  of  King's    mountain. 
The  militia,  in  three  divisions,  led  by  colonels  Cleveland, 
Shelby,  and  Campbell,  ascended  it  in  different  directions. 
These  divisions,  successively  arriving,  were  each  repulsed ; 
but  each,  when  the  enemy,  by  an  attack  from  a  different 
quarter,  were   recalled  from  pursuit,  returned   again  to  the 
charge.     In  this  manner  the  action  was  continued  for  an 
hour  with    great  spirit.     Ferguson   was  then    killed ;   and 
with  him  expired  the  courage    of   hie  party.     Eight  hun 
dred  threw  down  their  arms,  and   became   prisoners.     One 
hundred  and  fifty  were  killed.     Very  few  of  the  assailanis 
fell. 

18.  Cornwallis,  confident  of  his  ability  to  subjugate  the 
state,   had    followed   Ferguson   into  North  Carolina.      Re 
ceiving  notice  of  his  entire   defeat,   he   returned  and  took 
post   at   Winnsborougrh.     As    he   retired,   Gates,    who  had 
assembled  an  army   of  1400  men,   advanced   to  Charlotte, 
where    he   determined  to   pass   the   winter.     He   was  soon 
after  recalled  by  congress,  and,  on   the   recommendation  of 
Washington,    general    Greene    was    withdrawn    from    the 
northern  army  to  take  command  of  the  department  of  the 
south. 

19.  By  the  northern  army,  which,  as  has  been  stated,  was 
posted  at  West   Point  and   Morristown,  little   more  was  at 
tempted,  during  the  year,  than  to  watch  the  motions  of  the 
enemy  in  New  York,  and  protect  the  inhabitants  from  their 
incursions.  The  troops,  unfed,  unpaid,  and  unemployed,  dis 
covered,  at  various  times,  a  disposition  to  mutiny.    On  these 
occasions,  the  British  commander,   by  means  of  emissaries 
sent  among  them,  invited  them  to  repair  to  the  city,  where 
he  promised  them  comfort  and  abundance.     His  invitations 
were  disregarded.     Relief  from  distress  was  all  they  sought, 
and  when  that   was   obtained,   they   cheerfully  returned  to 
their  duty. 

20.  In  July,  a  French   squadron   under  admiral   Ternay, 
bringing  6000  troops,   commanded  by  count  Rochambeau, 


1780.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  203 

arrived  at  Rhode  Island,  which  had  previously  been  evacu 
ated  by  the  enemy ;  they  were  immediately  blockaded  in  the 
harbor  they  had  entered,  by  a  British  fleet.  Reinforced  by 
these  troops,  Washington  determined  to  attack  New  York ; 
the  army  marched  to  stations  near  the  city,  and  rejoiced  in 
the  hope  of  being  able  to  accomplish  something  for  their 
country;  but  the  arrival  from  England  of  another  fleet,  un 
der  admiral  Rodney,  discoa&erted  the  plan  which  had  been 

C  J 

formed. 

21.  Defeat  at  the  south  and  disappointment  at  the  north, 
overshadowed  the   land   with    gloom  ;  but  intelligence  that 
treason   lia.d   appeared   in  the  American  camp,  occasioned 
Amazement  and   alarm.      The   traitor  was   Arnold,    whom 
bravery  in  battle,  and  fortitude  in  suffering,  had  placed  high 
in  the  affections  of  the  people. 

22.  Upon  the  evacuation  of  Philadelphia,  by  the  enerny, 
in  1778,  he  was  appointed  commander  of  that  station.  Here, 
indulging  in  all  the  pleasures  of  an  expensive  equipage  and 
sumptuous  table,  he  contracted  debts  which  he  was  unable  to 
discharge.     To  extricate   himself  from   embarrassment,  he 
made   large   claims   against   the  government,    a   portion   of 
which  was  rejected.     lie  was  accused   of  extortion   and  of 
misuse  of  the  public  money ;  and  for  these  offences  was  tried 
by  a  court  martial,  and  sentenced  to  be  reprimanded  by  the 
commander-in-chief. 

23.  From  this   moment,   he   determined   to    avenge    his 
wounded  pride,  and  supply  his  wants  by  betraying  his  coun 
try.     In  a  letter  to  a  British  officer,  he  signified  his  change 
of  principle,  and  his  wish  to  restore  himself  to  the  favor  of 
his  prince,  by  some   signal  proof  of  his   repentance.     And 
about  this  time,  for  a  purpose  which  afterwards  too  plainly 
appeared,  he  solicited   and    obtained  the  command  of  West 
Point,  the  most  important  post  in  the  possession  of  the  Ame 
rican  armies. 

21.  He  immediately  opened  a  correspondence  with  sir 
Henry  Clinton,  and  proposed  to  deliver  into  his  power  the 
post  that  he  commanded.  To  agree  upon  the  mode  of  sur 
render,  major  Andre,  a  young  man  of  splendid  talents,  and 
adjutant-general  of  the  British  army,  ascended  the  river  from 
New  York,  and,  in  the  night,  at  a  place  near  the  American 
lines,  had  an  interview  with  Arnold.  Before  he  was  prepared 
to  return,  the  sloop  of  war  which  brought  him  was  compelled 
to  move  down  the  river. 

25.  In  this  emergency,  Andre,  disguised  as  a  traveller, 
assuming  the  name  of  Anderson,  and  furnished  by  Arnold 


204  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1780 

with  a  pass,  set  out  to  return  by  land  to  Now  York.  He 
*  passed  all  the  guards  and  posts  without  awakening  suspicion  ; 
but  was  stopped,  when  near  the  end  of  his  journey,  by 
three  of  the  New  York  militia,  whose  names  were  Pauld- 
ing,  Williams,  and  Vanwart.  Supposing  them  to  be  sol 
diers  of  his  own  army,  instead  of  producing  his  pass,  lie  do. 
clared  himself  a  British  officer,  and  desired  he  might  not  ba 
detained. 

26.  On  discovering  his  mistMe,  he  offered  them  a  purse 
of  gold  and  a  valuable   watch,    and    promised   more   ample 
rewards  from  his    government,  if  they  would  permit  him 
to  escape.     Rejecting,  with  patriotism  worthy  of  all  praise, 
these  tempting  offers,  they  conducted  him   to  colonel  Jame 
son,  who  was   stationed   near  the  American   lines.     In  his 
boots  were  found  a  particular  statement  of  the   strength  of 
the    garrison,    and    a    description    of   the    works    at  West 
Point.     Anxious  for  the  safety  of  Arnold,  he  desired  the  co. 
lonel    to  inform  him   that  Anderson  was    taken.     An    ex- 
press  was  unwarily  despatched  with  the   intelligence.     Ar. 
nold,  comprehending  his  danger,  made  a  precipitate  flight  to 
New  York. 

27.  Andre,  disdaining  longer  concealment,  then   avowed 
himself  to   be   the    adjutant-general    of  the    British    army. 
Suspicion  being  now  excited,  colonel   Jameson   transmitted 
to  the  comrnander-in-chief,  who  was  not  f.tr  distant,  infor 
mation  of  all  the  events  which  had  occurred.     Washington, 
hastening  to  West  Point,  made   arrangements  for  repelling 
any  attack  that  might  be   made.     Measures   of  precaution 
being   taken,    the   fate    of    the    prisoner   was    next   to    bo 
decided. 

28.  His  case  was  referred  to  a  board  of  officers.     Appear 
ing  before   them,  he   confessed,  with   ingenuous  frankness, 
every  circumstance   relating  to  himself,  but  would  disclose 
nothing  which  might  involve   others  in  his  misfortune.     He 
displayed,  in  all  his  conduct,  while   a  prisoner,  great  noble 
ness  of  mind;  but  the  board,  constrained  by  duty,  reported 
that  he  must  be  considered   as  a  spy,  and,    agreeably  to  the 
law  of  nations,  ought,  to  suffer  death. 

29.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  by  whom  he  was  highly  "esteemed, 
made  every  exertion  in   his  power  to   avert  his  fate.     He 
en-treated,  remonstrated,  and  threatened.     To  have  yielded, 
would  have  betrayed  timidity  and  weakness,  and  encouraged 
future  treason.     Andre  suffered  an  ignominious  death,  with 
a  degree  of   composure    arid    fortitude  which   proved  how 
great    and   illustrious    he   might    have    been,    had    he    not 


1780.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR;  205 

stooped,  in  an  evil  hour,  to  the  commission  of  an  ignomini 
ous  action. 

30.  Arnold  received,  as  the  reward  of  his  treachery,  the 
sum  of  10,000  pounds,  and  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  in 
the  British  army.     But  he  was  detested  by  his  new  associ 
ates,  and  his  name  will  be  for  ever  synonymous  with  infamy 
and  baseness.     In  contrast  with  his,  how  bright  shines  the 
fame  of  the  three  captors  of  Andre !     They  were  not  then, 
nor  can  they  ever  be,  forgotten  by  a  country  which  owes  so 
much  to  their  fidelity.     Each  received  the  thanks   of  con 
gress,   a   silver  medal,  and    a   pension    for   life,  which   has 
been   doubled   at  a  subsequent  season   of  greater  national 
prosperity. 

31.  At  the  close  of  the  year  1780,  the  troops  of  the  north 
ern  army  retired  to  the  winter-quarters  which  they  had  last 
occupied.     Again  they  endured  distress  at  which  patriotism 
feels  indignant  and  humanity  weeps.     The  harvest  had  been 
abundant.     Plenty  reigned  in  the  land,  but  want  in  the  camp 
of  its  defenders.     Selfishness  had  succeeded  patriotism,   las- 
situda  enthusiasm,  in  the  breasts  of  the  people,  and  congress 
exerted  its  powers  with  too  little  vigor  to  draw  forth  the  re 
sources  of  the  country. 

33.  The  soldiers  of  the  Pennsylvania  line  were  station 
ed  at  Morristowii,  in  New  Jersey.  They  complained 
that,  in,  addition  to  sustaining  sufferings  common  to  all, 
they  were  retained  in  the  service  contrary  to  the  terms  of 
their  enlistment.  In  the  night  of  the  first  of  January, 
thirteen  hundred,  on  a  concerted  signal,  paraded  under 
arms,  and  declared  their  intention  of  marching  to  Phila 
delphia,  and  demanding  of  congress  a  redress  of  their 
grievances. 

33.  The  officers  strove  to  compel  them  to  relinquish  their 
purpose.     In  the  attempt,  one  was  killed  and   several  wera 
wounded.     General  Wayne   presented  his  pistols,  as  if  in 
tending  to  fire.     They  held  their  bayonets  to  his  breast ; 
"  We  love  and  respect  you,"  said  they,  "  but  if  you  fire  you 
are  a  dead  man.     We  are  not  going  to  the  enemy.     On  the 
contrary,  if  they  were  now  to  come  out,  you  should  see  us 
fight  under  your  orders  with  as  much  alacrity  as  ever.     But 
vfe  will  be  amused  n^  longer ;  we   are  determined  to  obtain 
what  is  our  just  due." 

34.  They  elected  temppr.ary  officers,  and  moved  off  in  a 
body  towards  Princeton.     General  Wayne,  to  prevent  them 
from   plundering  the   inhabitants,  forwarded   provisions  for 
their  use.     The  noxt  day  he  followed,  and  requested  them  to 


206  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1781, 

appoint,  a  man  from  each  regiment,  to  state  to  him  their 
complaints.  The  men  were  appointed,  a  conference  held, 
but  he  refused  to  comply  with  their  demands. 

.  35.  They  proceeded  in  good  order  to  Princeton.  Three 
emissaries  from  sir  Henry  Clinton,  meeting  them  here,  made 
them  liberal  offers  to  entice  them  from  the  servtce  of  con- 
gress.  The  offers  were  instantly  rejected,  and  the  emissaries 
seized  and  confined  in  strict  custody.  Here  they  were  also 
met  by  a  committee  of  congress,  and  a  deputation  from  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania.  The  latter,  granting  part  of  their 
demands,  persuaded  them  to  return  to  their  duty.  The 
agents  of  Clinton  were  then  given  up,  arid  immediately  ex- 
ecuted  as  spies. 

36.  This  mutiny,  and  another  in  the  Jersey  line,  which 
was  instantly  suppressed,  aroused  the  attention  of  the  states 
to  the  miserable  condition  of  their  troops.  The  amount  of 
three  months'  pay  was  raised  and  forwarded  to  them  in  spo. 
cie.  They  received  it  with  joy,  as  it  afforded  evidence  that 
their  country  was  not  unmindful  of  their  sufferings. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

CAMPAIGN  OF  1781,   AND  TERMINAT 
OF  THE  WAR. 

IN  the  spring  of  1781,  the  project  of  besieging  New  \Tork 
was  again  resumed.  Requisitions  for  men  arid  store -j  were 
made  ilpon  the  northern  states,  and,  in  June,  the  Frer  ch  and 
American  troops,  marching  from  their  iespective  posi 
tions,  encamped  together  on  ground  contiguous  to  the 
city.  But  reinforcements  and  supplies  arrived  slowly,  and 
the  want  of  them  compelled  the  troops  in  the  field  to  remain 
inactive. 

2.  In  the  southern   department,  far  different  was  the  for- 
tune  of  the  opposing  armies.    That  of  which  general  Greene 
took   the   command,  consisted   of   but  2000  men.      Nearly 
one  half  of  these  he  despatched,  under  general  Morgan,  into 
the  western  section  of  South  Carolina,  where  a  British  party, 
aided  by  the  tories,  were  plundering  and  murdering  the  whigs 
without  mercy  and  without  restraint. 

3.  Against    the    American    detachment,  Cornwallis  de- 
spatched  Tarloton,  with  a  force  considerably  superior,  and 


1781.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  207 

a  large  proportion  of  it  cavalry.  Morgan  began  to  retreat, 
but  disdaining  to  fly  from  an  enemy,  and  uncertain  whether 
he  could  escape  an  officer  so  distinguished  as  his  pursuer,  for 
the  celerity  of  his  movements,  he,  on  the  17th  of  January, 
halted  at  the  Cowpens,  and  determined  to  hazard  a  battle, 
before  his  troop?  became  dispirited  and  fatigued. 

4.  Soon  after  he  had  placed   his  men,  the  British  van  ap 
peared  in  sight.  Confident  of  an  easy  victory,  Tarleton  rush, 
ed  to  the  charge  with   his  usual  impetuosity.     The  militia 
posted  in  front  yielded,  as  directed  by  Morgan,  to  the  shock  ; 
arid  the  infantry  composing  the  second  line,  retreated  a  few 
yards.     In  tha  ardor  of  pursuit,  the  enemy  were  thrown  into 
disorder  :  the   infantry,   facing  about,  poured  upon  them  a 
fire  as  deadly  as  it  was  unexpected.     Their  disorder  was  in 
creased,  and  a  charge  with  the  bayonet  completed  their  over 
throw.     One  hundred   of  the  enemy  were   killed,  and  five 
hundred  made  prisoners. 

5.  Seldom  has  a  victory,  achieved  by  so  small  a  number, 
been  so  important  in  its  consequences.     It  deprived  Corn- 
wallis  of  one  fifth  of  his  force,  and  disconcerted  his  plans  for 
the  reduction  of  North  Carolina.     He  sought,  however,  to 
repair,  by  active  exertions,  the  loss  which   he   had  suffered. 
Having  learnt  that    Morgan,  the   instant  after  his  victory, 
had  marched  with  his  prisoners   towards  Virginia,  he  deter 
mined,  if  possible,  to  intercept  him,  and  compel  him  to  restore 
his  trophies. 

6.  Now  commenced  a  military  race  which   has   hardly  its 
parallel  in  history.     Each  army  strove  to  arrive  first   at  the 
fords  of  the  Catawba,  from  which  both  were  equally  distant. 
The  American  troops  endured   almost  incredible   hardships, 
They  were  sometimes  without  meat,  often  without  flour,  and 
always   without    spiritous   liquors.      Many,   marching   over 
frozen   ground  without  shoes,  marked  with  blood  every  step 
of  their  progress. 

7.  On  the  twelfth  day  after  the  battle,  Morgan   reached 
the  fords  and  crossed  the  Catawba.     Two  houps  afterwards, 
Cornwallis  arrived,  and,  it  being  then  dark,  encamped  on  the 
bank.     In  the  night,  a  heavy  fall  of  rain  made  the  river  im 
passable.     This  gave  Morgan  an  opportunity  to  remove  the 
prisoners  beyond  the  reach  of  his  pursuer.     And  here  he  was 
joined  by  general  Greene,  who,  leaving   the  main   body  of 
his  army,  with  orders  to  march  towards  Virginia,  bad  ridden, 
with  but  two  or  three  attendants,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
for  that  purpose. 

8.  At- the  end  of  three  days,  Cornwallis  found  means  to 


208  REVOLUTIONARY  WAfR.  [1731. 

pass  the  river.  The  retreat  and  pursuit  again  commenced. 
On  the  second  night,  the  Americans  reached  a  ford  on  tho 
Yadkin.  Before  all  had  crossed,  the  British  appeared, 
and  a  part  of  the  baggage  was  left  in  their  power.  Again 
the  two  armies  lay  encamped  on  the  opposite  banks,  i;nd 
before  morning,  this  river  also  was  made  impassable  by 
the  rain.  This  second  preservation  from  imminent  danger, 
persuaded  the  Americans  that  their  cause  was  favored  of 
Heaven. 

9.  The  next  day,   Greene  proceeded  to   Guilford  court 
house,  where  he  was  joined  by  the  other  division  of  his  army. 
Cornwallis  inarching  up  the  Yadkin,  crossed  at  the  shallow 
fords  near  its  source.     Both  armies  now  started  for  the  river 
Dan,  on  the  borders  of  Virginia,  and  distant  more  than  one 
hundred  miles.     The  knowledge  that  there  the  course  must 
terminate,  gave  fresh  vigor  to  the  troops,  arid  a  new  impulse 
to  their  speed.     On  the  fifth  day,  the  American   army,  hav 
ing,   in    the  last  twenty-four   hours,   marched   forty  miles, 
crossed  the  river  in  boats  which  had  been  collected  for  the  pur 
pose  ;  and  scarcely  were  they  over,  when  the  British  appear, 
ed  on  the  opposite  shore. 

10.  Chagrined  that  his    adversary  had    thus    eluded    his 
grasp,  Cornwallis  wheeled   about  and  marched  sullenly  to 
Hillsborouglu     Here  many  loyalists   resorted  to  his  stand 
ard.     Six  hundred  Virginia    militia    having,  in    the  mean 
time,  joined  the  American  army,  Greene   determined  to  re- 
cross  the   Dan,   and,   by   his    presence    in  North  Carolina, 
support  the  courage  of  those  who  had  embraced  the  cause  of 
independence. 

11.  Cornwallis  having  detached  Tarleton,  with  his  legion, 
to  the  country  on  the  branches  of  the  Haw  river,  in  order  to 
countenance  the  rising  of  the  loyalists  in  that  neighborhood, 
a  body  of  cavalry,  under  lieutenant-Colonel  Lee,  and  of  mili 
tia  under  general  Pickens,  were  directed  to  march  thither 
and    attack  him.      Lee,  who  led    the  van,  overtook,  in    a 
long  lane,  a  band  of  tories,  on  their  way  -to    the    enomy. 
Mistaking  him    for    Tarleton,  they  expressed  a   lively  joy 
at  the  meeting,  and  declared  their  zealous  attachment  to  the 
royal  cause. 

12.  Hoping  to  surprise  Tarleton,  who  was   but    a   mile 
in  advance,   Lee  forbore  to  correct  their   error ;  but  while 
he  was  endeavoring    to    pass    them,  the    militia   came    up 
and  engaged  their  rear.     Relinquishing    his    first    project, 
he   ordered   his   cavalry  to  fall  upon   the    tories,   who  were 
slaughtered    without    mercy,    while    protesting    they  were 


1781.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR,  209 

"the  very  best  friends  of  the  king."  Between  two  and 
throe  hundred  were  killed.  Tarbton,  alarmed  by  the 
firing,  retreated  instantly  to  Hillsborough.  On  his  way,  he 
cut  down  a  small  party  of  royalists,  mistaking  them  for  whig 
militia. 

13.  Leaving    Hillsborough,    Cornwallis    next    encamped 
near    Guilford    court-house.      Greene,     having    been    still 
further   strengthened  by  several   bodies  of  militia,  pursued 
and  offered  him  battle.     On  the  15th  of  March,  an  engage 
ment  was  fought.     At  the  first  fire,  the  North  Carolina  mi 
litia,  who  were  in  the  front  line,  fled.     The  second  line  was 
also   routed.     The   continentals,    who  composed    the   third, 
fought  with  their  usual  bravery,  and  for  an  hour  and  a  half 
maintained  the  conflict  with  great  firmness.     They  at  length 
gave  way,  but  retreated   in   good  order,  the  slaughter  they 
had  made  in  the  enemy's  ranks  preventing  pursuit.     Both 
sides  sustained  nearly  an  equal  loss. 

14.  This  victory,  won   by  a  far   inferior   force,  was  more 
glorious  than;  advantageous  to  the  British  army.      Greene, 
expecting  and  desiring  to  be  attacked  at  this  place  of  retreat, 
made  preparations  for  a  second  engagement.     Cornwallie,- 
far  from  courting  a  battle,  deemed   it  prudent  to  retire  to 
Wilmington,  near  the  sea.     lie  was  pursued  for  a  few  days, 
but  so  excessive  had  been  the  sufferings  of  the  Americans, 
from  hunger  and  fatigue,  that  many  fainted  on   the  march, 
and  at  Ramsay's  mills  the  army  halted  to  seek  refreshment 
arid  repose. 

15.  After  remaining  three  weeks  at  Wilmington,  Corn 
wallis  proceeded  to  Petersburg!!,  in,  Virginia.     From  Ram 
say's  mills,  Greene  marched  towards  Camden,  where  were 
posted  nine  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of  lord  Raw- 
don,     lie   took   a  position  on  Hobkirk's  hill,  about  a  mile 
from  the  British  entrenchments.     At  this  position,  the  Ame 
ricans  were  attacked  on  the  25th  of  April.     In  the  begin 
ning  of  the  action,  their  bravery  gained   advantages  which, 
in    its    progress,   were    lo.st    by  the    premature    retreat   of 
two   companies,    occasioned  by   the   death    of  all   their  offi 
cers.     At  this  reverse  of  fortune,  Greene  retired  a  few  miles 
from  ihe  field,  both  armies  having  sustained  nearly  an  equal 
loss. 

1ft.  In  April  and  May,  several  British  posts  in  South 
Carolina  fell  into  the  power  of  the  brave  and  active 
prirtmns,  who,  with  small  bodies  of  troops,  were  ever 
pr-s  Mil.  where  oppression  was  to  be  resisted,  or  glory  won. 
Marion  and  Lee  invested  and  took  fort  Watson.  Orange- 


210  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1-78 

burg  and  fort  Motte  surrendered  to  Sumpter.  Lee  cap- 
tured  fort  Granby,  and  Marion  drove  from  Georgetown 
the  troops  stationed  to  defend  it.  None  of  these  posts  had 
numerous  garrisons,  the  prisoners  being  less,  in  the  whole, 
than  eight  hundred  ;  but  the  advantages  they  had  secured 
to  the  enemy  rendered  their  capture  important  to  the  Ameri 
can  cause. 

17.  About  the    last    of   May,    lord    Rawdon    retired    te 
Monk's  Corner,  near  Charleston,  leaving  garrisons  only  at 
Ninety-Six    and  Augusta.     The  latter    post  was    besieged 
oy    Lee,    and    soon    capitulated.     Ninety-Six,    which    was 
much    stronger,    was    invested    by   the    main    army.     The 
siege    had   continued   three    weeks,    and    eventual    success 
appeared  certain,  when  intelligence  arrived  that  lord  Raw- 
don,   having    received    a    reinforcement    from  Ireland,  was 
approaching,  with  two  thousand  men,  to  the  relief  of  the 
place.     All  hope  was  now  lost  of  reducing  it  by  the  slow 
operation  of  a  siege.     On  the  18th  of  June-  the  Americans, 
with    great    gallantry,  made    an    assault    upon    the  works. 
They  were  received  with  no  less  gallantry  by  the  garrison, 
and    repulsed.     Greene  then    retired   towards  North  Caro 
lina,  and  three  days    afterwards    lord  Rawdon    arrived    at 
Ninety-Six. 

18.  During    this  year,  the  inhabitants    of  the  Carolinas 
endured  calamity  and  distress,  from  which  humanity  revolts 
with  horror.     The  country  was  ravaged  and  plundered  by 
both  armies.     The  people,  in  sentiment,  were  about  equally 
divided.     Village  was    hostile    to  village,  and   neighbor    to 
neighbor ;  and  their  hostility  had  been  embittered  by  accu 
sation    and    retort,    by  attack    and    reprisal,  until   pillage, 
burning,  and    murder,  became    familiar  to  all.     Whenever 
a  republican  or  royalist  fell  into  the  power  of  an  adversary, 
he  was  instantly  sacrificed    in    revenge  of  a  friend,  or  to 
gratify  political  hatred.     It    is  asserted  that,  in    this  man 
ner,  thousands  were  put   to  death.     Each  party  aimed   at 
the  extirpation  of  the  other,  and  the  whole  country  pre 
sented  an    unvaried    scene  of   blood    and    slaughter.     But 
censure  ought    not    to    rest  equally  upon  the  two  parties. 
In  the  commencement  of  the  contest,  the  British,  to  terrify 
the  people  into  submission,  set  an  example  which  the  tories 
Were  quick,  but  the  whigs  slow,  to  follow ;  anil  in  'its  pro 
gress  the  American  generals,  and  they  alone,  seized  every 
occasion  to  discountenance  such  vindictive   and  barbarous 
conduct. 

19.  LO      Rawdon  having  returned  to  England  the  com- 


1781.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAfc. 

mand  of  the  British  troops,  in  South  Carolina,  devolved 
upon  lieutenant-colonel  Stewart.  In  the  beginning  of 
September,  he  took  post,  at  Eutaw.  Greene  marched  against 
him  from  the  High  Hills  of  Santee.  Their  forces  wero 
equal,  amounting  on  e'ach  side  to  two  thousand  men.  On 
the  8th,  a  battle  was  fought,  more  bloody  perhaps  than  any 
which  had  occurred  during  the  war.  The  attack  was  maoh 
by  the  Americans  ;  the  British,  resolute  and  brave,  made  an 
obstinate  resistance,  but  were  at  length  driven  in  disorder 
from  the  field. 

20.  A  small  number,  on  their  retreat,  took  possess  ion  'of  & 
large  brick  house,  and  others  of  an  adjoining  picketed   gat- 
den.    -From  these  strong  positions,  a  deadly  tire  was  poured 
Upon   the  Americans,  who   persisted,  for   a    long   time,  in   a 
rash   attempt   to   take  them   by  storm.     This  check  enabled 
the  British   commander  to   rally  his   broken   battalions,  and 

•bring  them  again  into  action.  Greene,  despairing  of  further 
success,  withdrew  his  troops,  carrying  with  him  his  wounded, 
•and  prisoners. 

21.  The  loss  on  both  sides  was  uncommonly  grw.t, -in  pro, 
•portion    to  the   numbers  engaged.     On   the  American   side, 
the  number  of  killed  and  wounded  amounted  to  five  hundred 
arid  fifty  ;  and  that  of  the  British,  as  stated  by  themselves,  to 
almost  seven  hundred.     This  sanguinary  battle  was  followed 
by  the  retreat  of  the  British  army  towards  Charleston.     The 
Americans  pursued,  and,  by  establishing  a  chain  of  posts  at 
a  short  distance  from  that,  city,  protected  the  state  from  their 
incursions. 

22.  Cornwallls,  who  left  North  Carolina  in  April,  arrived 
at  Petersburg]),  in  Virginia,  on  the  20th  of  May.     He  there 
formed  a  junction  with  a  British  detachment,  which,  com 
manded  at  first  by  Arnold  and  afterwards  by  Phillips,  had 
previously  gained  possession  of  Richmcrfd  and  Portsmouth. 
With   the   force  now  at   his' command,  he   flattered  himself 
that  he  should  be  able  to  add  this  state  also  to  the  list  of  his 
conquests. 

23.  The  American   troops,   stationed   in   Virginia  for  its 
defence,  were   indeed   entirely  insufficient  to  oppose  any  ef 
fectual  resistance.     Under  their  gallant  leader,  the  marquis 
de  la  Fayette,  they  accomplished  even   more   than  was   ex 
pected  ;  but  were  unable  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  march 
ing  through  the  country,  and  destroying  much  public  and 
private  property. 

24.  From  these  excursions,  -Cornwallis  was  recalled  to 
the  sea-coast  by  his  ccmmander-in-chiuf,  who,  having  -inter-. 


%&  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1781. 

oopted  a  letter  from  Washington  to  congress,  became,  ac 
quainted  \yi.th  the  danger  which  threatened  New  York.  He 
^yas  directed  to  take  a  position  near  the  ocean,  where  his 
31'ii'iy  and  the  fleet  might  afford  mutual  protection,  until  the 
•Qveiit  of  the  operations  of  the  north  should  be  known.  Ho 
selected  York! own  and  Gloucester  Point,  situated  on  oppo 
site  sides  of  York  river,  which  empties  into  Chesapeake:  hay. 
Me  had; an  army  of  more  than  10,000  men,  and  applied  all 
liis  means,  with  unwearied  industry  and  zeal,  to  fortify  these 
Commanding'  positions.. 

£5.  lf\  the  mean,  time,  but  little  progress  had  been  made 
jp  the  preparutipns  to  besiege  New  York.  Of  the  GOOO 
meu  whoiu.  tho  northern  states  were  required  to  furnish  for 
that  purpose,  a  few  hundred  only,  at  the  beginning  of  Au. 
gust,  had  joined  the  army.  On  the  other  hand,  the  enemy 
in  the  city  had  been  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  3000  Ger- 
sjvins.  In  this  posture  of  affairs,  the  idea  of  an  exp^dilion 
against  Oornwallis  occurred  to  the  commander-iu-chief. 
While  deliberating  on  the  enterprise,  he  received  informa 
tion  that  a  French  fleet,  under  the  count  de  Grusse,  with 
3000  troops  on  board,  was  on  the  way  to  America,  and  des. 
tjned  to  the  Chesapeake. 

26.  Me  hesitated  no  longer,  but  determined  to  conduct  the 
.expedition  in, person.  The  show  of  an  intention  to  attack 
New  York,  was  nevertheless  preserved.  After  the  troops 
left  their  respective  positions,  and  crossed  the  Hudson,  their 
march  was  so  directed  as  to  lead  sir  Henry  Clinton  to  be-. 
Ijeve  that  it  was  the  object  of  Washington  to  gain  possession 
cjf  Staten  Island,  in  order  to  facilitate  his  designs  against 
the  city.  The  despatches  he  had  intercepted  assisted  to  de 
ceive  him,  and  not  until  the  army  had  crossed  the  Delaware, 
and  was  thus  beyond  the  reach  of  pursuit,  did  he  suspect  the 
?eal!  object  of  his  adversary. 

27r.  He  then  determined  to  profit  by  his  absence,  or 
recall  him,  by  some  daring  enterprise  at  the  north.  Giving 
to  the  traitor  Arnold,  who  had  just  returned  from  Virginia, 
the  command  of  a  strong  detachment,  he  sent  him  against 
New  London,  a  flourishing  city  situated  upon  the  river 
Thames,  in  his  native  stale.  Nearly  opposite,  on  a  hill  in 
Grot.on,  stood  fort  Griswold,  which  was  then  garrisoned 
by  militia,  hastily  summoned  from  their  labors  in  tho 
jjoM. 

28.  Against    this   fort   Arnold   despatched   a  part   of  his 
troops.      It  was   assaulted    on    three   sides   at   the   same  rno- 
Tlie  garrison,  fighting    in    view  of   their    property 


1781.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  213 

and  their  homes,  made  a  brave  and  obstinate  resistance. 
-By  their  steady  and  woil-directed  fire,  many  of  the  assail 
ants  were  killed.  Pressing  forward  with  persevering 
ardor,  the  enemy  entered  the  fort  through  the  embrasures. 
Immediately  all  resistance  ceasod.  Irritated  by  gallantry 
which  'should  have  caused  admiration,  a  British  officer 
'inquired  who  commanded  the  fort.  "  I  did,"  said  colonel 
Ledyard,  "  but. you  do  now,"  and  presented  him  his  sword. 
He  seized  it,  and  with  savage  cruelty  plunged  it  into  his 
btssoin.  This  was  -'the  signal  for  an  indiscriminate  mas 
sacre.  Of  one  hundred  and  sixty  men  composing  the 
garrison,  all  but  fbffey  were  killed  or  wounded,  and  most  6? 
them  after  resistance  had  ceased.  Seldom  has  the  glory 
of  victory  been  tarnished  by  such  detestable  barbari 
ty.  The  enemy  then  entered  -New  London,  which  was 
«et  on  fire  and  consumed.  The  '-property  destroyed  was 
of  'immense  value.  'Perceiving  'no  other  object  within 
the  reach  of  his  force,  Arnold  led  back  his  troops  to  New 
York. 

29.  The  march  of  Washington  was  not  arresteS  by  this 
barbarous   inroad,     lie    pressed   forward  with   the    utmost 
speed,    the  great    object    in    view    imparting    vigor    to  his 
troops.     At  Chester,  he  received  the  cheering  intelligence, 
that  admiral  dc  Grasse  had  entered  the  Chesapeake  with  a 
force   sufficiently  strong  to  prevent  the   escape  of  the  ene 
my  by  water.     On  the  25th  of  September,  the  last  division 
of  the  allied  forces  arrived  at  the  place  appointed  for  their 
meeting.      The   whole   consisted   of  16,000  men,   and  was 
furnished  with  a  large  and  powerful  train  of  battering  ar 
tillery. 

30.  A  body  of  troops  undel-  general  de  -Choise  was  sta 
tioned   to  watch  the  small  garrison  at  Gloucester 'Point,  on 
th«   north   bank  of  tile  river  ;  and   on   the  28th  the  several 
divisions,  destined   to  besiege  the  main   garrison   at  York- 
'town,  reached  the  positions   assigned  them.     On  the  night 
of  the  6th  of  October,  advancing  to  within '600  yards  of  the 
enemy's   lines,   they  began   their  first  parallel,  and  labored 
with  such   silence  and  diligence,  that  they  were  not  disco- 
'vered  until   morning,  when  the  works  they  had  ''raised  were 
sufficient  to  protect  them. 

31.  On    the    9th,   several    batteries    being    completed,   <i 
heavy  cannonade  was  begun.     Many  of  the   enemy's   gurts 

'were  dismounted,  and  portions  of  their  fortifications  laid 
level  with  the  ground,  On  the  night  of  the  llth,  tha 
besiegers  commenced  their  second  parallel,  three 


1H  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1781. 

yards  in  advance  of  the  first.  This  approach  was  made  so 
much  sooner  than  was  expected,  that  the  men  were  not  dis 
covered  at  their  labor,  until  they  had  rendered  themselves  se. 
cure  from  all  molestation  in  front.  The  fire  from  the  ne\v> 
Batteries  was  still  more  furious  and  destructive. 

39.  From  two  British  redoubts,  in  advance  of  their  main 
works,  and  flanking  those  of  the  besiegers,  the  men  in  the. 
.trenches  wer£  so  severely  annoyed  that  Washington  re- 
. solved  to  storm  them.  The  enterprise  against  one  was 
committed  to,  an  American,  that  against  the  other  to  a 
French  detachment.  Colonel  Hamilton,  who  led  the  van 
of  the  former,  made  such  an  impetuous  attack,  that  pos 
session  was  soon  obtained,  with  little  slaughter.  Retalia 
tion  for  the  carnage  at  fort  Griswold  might  have  been 
justified.  But  "the  soldiers,"  said  colonel  Hamilton,  "in 
capable  of  imitating  examples  of  barbarity,  and  forgetting 
Decent  provocation,  spared  every  man  that  ceased  to  re 
sist."  The  French  detachment  was  equally  brave  and  suc 
cessful,  but,  opposed  by  a  stronger  force,  sustained  a  more 
Considerable  loss. 

33.  Cornwallis,  perceiving  no, hope  of  safety  but  in  flight, 
attempted,    on   the   evening   of  the    16th,   to   cross   over   to 
(Gloucester,  intending  to  force  his  way  through  the  troops 
under   de   Choise,    and   proceed   by  rapid  marches   to  New 
York.     Before  reaching  the  opposite  shore,  with  the  first  di 
vision  of  his  army,  a  storm  dispersed  his  boats  and  compelled 
liirri  to  abandon  the  project. 

34.  On  the  morning  of  the  l'7th,  additional  batteries  were 
completed   by   the   besiegers.     The   cannonade   became   too 
powerful  to  be  resisted.     The  enemy's  works  were  sinking 
rapidly  under  it.  and  nearly  all  their  guns  were  silenced.  Be 
fore  noon,  Convallis  boat  a  parley,  and  proposed  that  com- 
jtnissio.ners  should  be  appointed  to  settle  terms  of  surrender. 
They  were  accordingly  appointed,  and  on  the  19th  of  Octo- 
fyer,  the  terms  which  they  hacl  agreed  upon  were  ratified  by 
$ie  respective  commanders. 

35.  Thfe  naval  force  in  tjie  harbor  v/as  surrendered  to   de 
Grasse,  the  garrison  to  the  American  general.     To  the  gar- 
yifon,  the  same  terms  were  granted  as  had  been  conceded  to 
the  troops  who  capitulated  at  Charleston  ;  and  general  Lin 
coln,  who  was  present,  was  designated  by  Washington  to  re-. 
•qciy-e  the  sword  of  Cornwallis.     The  number  of  prisoners  ex-, 
seeded  seven  thousand,  of  whom  nearly  three  thousand  were 
got  fit  for  duty. 

$6,  Qn  no,  occasion   during  the  war,  did   the  American. 


1782.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR,  %\5 

people  manifest  greater  exultation  and  joy.  To  the  Giver  of* 
all  good,  they  united  in  rendering,  with  grateful  hearts* 
thanksgiving  and  praise  for  the  decisive  victory  which  he 
had  enabled  them  to  gain.  From  the  nature  and  duration 
of  the  contest,  the  affections  of  many  had  been  so  con 
centrated  upon  their  country,  and  so  intense  was  their  inte 
rest  in  its  fate,  that  the  news  of  this  brilliant  success  pro 
duced  the  most  rapturous  emotions,  under  the  operation  of* 
which  some  were  deprived  of  their  reason,  and  one  aged  pa 
triot  in  Philadelphia  expired. 

37.  The  loss  of  a  second  entire  army  e&trfcguisheS  every 
hope,  which  the   people   of  Great  Britain,   had  entertained, 
of  the  subjugation  of  their  colonies.     Their  burdens,  which* 
although  heavy,  they  had  borne  with  patience,  while  ani 
mated    by  the    prospect  of   success,  now  pressed  with   in 
tolerable  weight.     They  demanded,  with  ah  almost  unani 
mous  voice,  that  an  end  should  speedily  be  put  to  a  hope* 
less  and  ruinous  war.     But  the 'speech  of  the  king  to  par 
liament,  at  the  opening  of  the  winter  session,  discovered* 
that    his    feelings  and  determination  remained  unchanged, 
Bearing    no  portion  of  the  birrdens  of  war,  Ije  felt,  with 
undiminished  force,  his    reluctance    to    part  with    the    au 
thority  which  he  had  Once  exercised  over  three  millions  ^f 
subjects. 

38.  But  the  house  of  commons,  speaking  the  senurocnts 
of  the  people,  expressed,  in  energetic  language,  their  d;% 
approbation  of  all  farther  attempts  to  reduce  the  colonies 
to  obedience  by  fo'rce.     Lord  North,  contrary  to  the  wishes 
of  his  sovereign,  then  resigned  the  office  of  prime  minister- 
Another  cabinet  was  formed,  who  advised  the  king  to  con^ 
cede  independence  to  the  colonies.     Early  in  the  spring  of 
1782,  pacific  overtures  were  accordingly  made  to  the  Ameri 
can  government,  and  both  nations  desisted  from  hostile  mea^ 
sures. 

39.  Congress  had  previously  appointed  John  Adams,  of 
Massachusetts,  a  commissioner  to  treat  with  Great  Britain, 
whenever    her    government    should    express    a    desire    for 
peace.     He   was  one    of  the  earliest    op^Osers    of   parlia 
mentary  encroachment.     Actuated    by  hatred    of   tyranny 
as  well  as  love  of  country,  he  had,  before  resistance  wasl 
contemplated    by  others,  devoted  all    the    energies    of   his 
powerful    mind    to  the  work  of  enlightening   the    people, 
u.ud  preparing  them  for  the  contest  which  he  foresaw  was 
approaching.     In  the  continental  congress  he  was  conspi* 
'euous   for  his    talents    and    zeaL    -Appointed    minister    to 


246  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1783. 

Holland,  he  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  loan  at  Amsterdam, 
when  the  resources  of  his  country  were  almost  exhausted, 
and  in  concluding  with  that  republic  a  treaty  of  amity  and 
commerce. 

40.  As    colleagues    with    him,   congress    now  appointed 
Bpnjamin  Franklin,  John  Jay,  and  Henry  Laurens.     Tho 
first    was    minister    to    France.     He  was    beloved    by   his 
country  fqr  the  services  he   had  rendered    her  ;  and  illus-, 
trious  throughout  the  world   for   his  inventive  genius   and* 
practical  philosophy.     John  Jay  was  a  native  of  New  York; 
was  distinguished,  for  the   purity  of  his  moral   character, 
and    his    attachment    to  the  rights  of  mankind.     He    had 
long  been  a  member  -  of  congress,  and  was  then  the  repre 
sentative    of    the    United    State-!*    at    the    Spanish    court. 
Henry  Laurens  was  a  citizen  ot   South  Carolina,  had  been 
president    of    congress,   had    bosn    appointed    minister    tc 
Holland,  but  when  crossing  the  cceari,  wa.s  captured  by  a 
British  cruiser,  and  confined,  on  a  charge  of  treason,  to  the 
tower  of  London.      In  the  endurance  of  sufferings  in  his 
country's  cause,  he  displayed  a  character  formed  after  the 
models  of  antiquity. 

41.  To  negotiate  with  these.   Mr.  Oswald  was  appointed 
on  the  part  of  Great  Britain.     The  conferences  were  held 
at  Paris,   where,   in   November,    1782,   preliminary  articles 
were  agreed  upon.     These  were  to  form  the  basis  of  a  defi 
nitive  treaty,  the  conclusion   of  which   was.  deferred  until 
peace   should  take   place   between   France,  the   ally  of  the/ 
United  States,  and  Great  Britain.     That  event  occurred  on 
the  third  day  of  December,  1783  ;  and  on  the  same  day,  a 
definitive  treaty  between  the  parent  country  and  her  late 
colonies  was  also  signed. 

42.  The   provisions    of   the  treaty  attest    the  zeal  and 
ability  of  the  American  negotiators,  as  well  as  the  liberal, 
feelings  which   actuated   the   new  British   ministry.      The 
independence  of  the*  Ignited  States  was  fully  acknowledged. 
The  right  of  fishing  on   the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  and 
certain    facilities    in    the  enjoyment    of    that    right,   were 
secured  to  them  forever;  and  territory  was  ceded  to  then? 
more  extensive  than  the  most  s;  nguine  had  dared  to  anti. 
cipate    or    to    hope.     During    the    negotiation,  France,  to 
ensure  the    future  dependence  of  her  allies  upon   herself, 
endeavored    by    secret    intrigues,    to    prevent    them    from 
pbt»ining   as  favorable  terms  as    even   their  late   enemies 
were  willing  to  grant — a  striking  proof  of  the  selfishness 
pjf  nations. 


1783.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  217 

43.  While  tho  negotiations  were  pending,  tlio  American 
troops  were  retained  in  service,  but  remained  unemployed 
at  their  various  stations.     They  saw  with  pleasure  the  end 
of  their  toils  approaching1,  but  apprehended  that  their  coun 
try,  when  she  no  longer  needed  their  services,  would  for 
get  with  what    zoal    and  fidelity  they  had    been  rendered. 
The   officers,    especially,    dreaded    thai,    after    having,    for 
want  of   pay,   expended  their    private   fortunes,    and   after 
having  exhausted    thoir    strength    in    the  performance   ot* 
arduous   and  protracted  services,  they  should   be  dismissed 
in   poverty,  without  any  secure   provision   for  their  future 
support. 

44.  In    the   course  of   the  war,   a  resolution   had    been 
adopted    by  congress,   stipulating    that    the    officers,   after 
being  disbanded,  should  receive  half-pay  for  life.     This  reso 
lution  had  never  been   ratified  by  the  requisite  number  of 
states,  and  no  safe  reliance  could  therefore  be  placed  upon 
it.     In  December,  1782,  the  officers  forwarded  to  congress  a 
petition   praying  that  all  arrears  which  were  due  to   them 
might  be  discharged,  and  that,  instead  of  half-pay  for  life,  a 
sum  equal  to  five  years'  full  pay  should  be  paid  or  secured  to 
them  when  disbanded. 

45.  The  delay  of  congress  to  comply  with  this  request  pro 
duced  an  alarming  agitation  in  that  porlion  of  the  army  sta~ 
tionod  at  Newburgh.     An   address   to  the  officers  was  pri 
vately  circulated,  written  with  great  ability,  and  admirably 
well  fitted  to  work  upon  those  passions  which  recent  suffer- 
ings  and   gloomy  forebodings   had  excited  in  every  bosom. 
The  writer  boldly  roconunandod  that,  as  all  tin  applications 
to  the  sympathy  and  justice  of  congress  had  failed  of  success, 
an  appeal  should  bo  m:ide  to  their  fears, 

4G.  Fortunately,  the  commander-m-chief  was  in  camp. 
Though  conscious  that  the  officers  had  just,  causo  of  com 
plaint,  he  was  aware,  that  duty  to  his  country,  and  even 
friendship  for  tlunn,  required  that  h-"i  should  prevent  tho 
adoption  of  rash  and  disorderly  expedients  to  obtain  redress. 
Calling  them  together,  he,  by  a  calm  and  sensible  address, 
persuaded  them  to  rely  still  longer  upon  the  disposition  of 
congress  to  perform  for  thorn  \vaatevcr  the  limited  means  of 
the  nation  would  permit. 

47.  In  a  letter  to  that  body,  giving  an  account  of  theso 
occurrences,  ho  maintained  an  1  enforced  tho  claims  of  tho 
officers  with  such  pathos  a«id  strenjrl-.h  of  reasoning,  that 
their  request  was  granted.  In  November,  1783,  tho 
FATJUOT  ARMY  was  disbanded,  and  again  ivunjjlod  with 
19 


218  CONFEDERATION.  [1736, 

thoir  fellow-citizens.  In  the  same  month,  New  York  was 
evacuated  by  the  British  troops.  General  Washington,  tak 
ing  an  affectionate  leave  of  his  officers,  repaired  to  Annapo. 
Us,  where  congress  was  sitting,  and  there,  at  a  public  audi 
ence,  with  dignity  and  sensibility,  resigned  his  commission 
as  commander-in-chief  of  the  American  armies.  Then,  with 
a  character  illustrious  throughout  the  world,  he  returned  to 
his  residence  at  Mount  Vernon,  possessing  the  sincere  love 
and  profound  veneration  of  his  countrymen. 


CHAPTEP  XXIV. 
ADOPTION  OF  TIJE  CONSTITUTION, 

AND 

WASHINGTON'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

INDEPENDENCE  and  peace  did  not  immediately  produce  all 
the  advantages  which  had  been  anticipated  by  an  ardent 
and  sanguine  people.  The  evils  of  war  were  protracted  be 
yond  its  duration.  Public  and  private  debts  bore  heavily 
upon  the  people,  restraining  their  enterprise  and  demanding 
all  thoir  resources. 

2.  Unsupported  by  the  sense   of  imminent  and  common 
danger,  the  articles  of  confederation  were  found  insufficient 
to  accomplish  the  purposes  of  a  national  government.    They 
conferred  upon  congress  the  power  not  to  raise  money,  but 
merely  to  make  requisitions  upon  the  states.     These  were 
oi'ten  disregarded,  no  authority  being  given  to  enforce  ooe- 
dienco.     The  revenue  was  therefore  deficient,  the  public  cro- 
ditors  were  unpaid,  and  the  national  securities  or  evidences 
of  debt  depreciated  so  low  that  they  were  often  sold  for  one 
eighth  of  their  nominal  value. 

3.  Neither  did  these  articles  confer  the  power  to  regulate 
•commerce.     Congress,  therefore,   could  not  make  commer 
cial  treaties  with  foreign  nations  which  would  be  obligatory 
upon   the   individual   states.     Unprotected   by  treaties,   and 
unsupported   by   countervailing    regulations,   the   American 
merchants  were   denied   all    participation,   except  on   terms 
1 1  once   burdensome   and    degrading,   in   the   commerce  of 
tie  world.     The   trade  between  the  several  states,  which 


1786.]  CONFEDERATION.  219 

were  considered  separate  and  independent  sovereignties, 
was  also  embarrassed  by  numerous  restrictions,  producing 
frequent  collisions,  and  diminishing  the  benefits  which 
naturally  flow  from  the  unfettered  enterprise  and  industry 
of  man.  Commerce  languished  ;  and  from  the  want  of 
its  vivifying  influence,  ail  the  energies  of  the  country  were 
dormant. 

4.  To  remedy  these  evils,  congress  applied  to  the  states 
for  a    grant  of  the    power    to  regulate  commerce,  and   to 
collect  a  revenue  from  it.     New  York  alone  refuse'd  ;  but 
as  unanimity  was    requisite,  her  single    negative    defeated 
the    project.     In    the    mean    time,  the    distress    increased, 
and    in    Massachusetts,  where    it    was    greatest,  urged   to 
insurrection  a  portion  of  the  inhabitants.     Near  the  close 
of  the  year  1786,   they   assembled,   to  the  number  of  two 
thousand,  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  state,  and,  choos 
ing   Daniel   Shays  their  leader,  demanded  that  the  collec 
tion  of  debts  should  be  suspended,  and  that  the  legislature 
should  authorize}  the  emission  of  paper  money  for  general 
•circulation. 

5.  Two  bodies  of  militia,  drawn  from  those  parts  of  the 
state  where  disaffection  did   not  prevail,  were  immediately 
despatched   against  them,  one   under  the  command  of  ge 
neral  Lincoln,  the  other  of  general  Shepard.     They  were 
•easily  dispersed  ;  and  afterwards  abandoning  their  seditious 
purposes,  accepted  the   proffered  indemnity  of  the  govern 
ment. 

6.  So  early  as  1783,  John  Adams,  being  then  minister  in 
Europe,  and  seeing  in  what  light  the  American  confedera 
tion  was  regarded  by  foreign  nations,  suggested  to  congress 
the  expediency  of  effecting  a  closer  union  of  the  states,  and 
of  conferring  more  efficient  powers  upon  the  general  go 
vernment.     A  conviction  of  the  necessity  of  such  a  course 
was  also  felt  by  general  Washington,  and  most  of  the  dis 
tinguished    patriots   of  that  period.     In  September,    1786, 
upon  the  proposition  of  Mr.  Madison,  of  Virginia,  a  con 
vention   of  commissioners  from  five   of  the   middle  states, 
was  held  at  Annapolis,  for  the  purpose  of  devising  and  re 
commending  to  the  states  a  uniform  system  of  commercial 
regulations. 

7.  These  commissioners,  after  deliberating  upon  the  sub 
ject,  came  to  the  conclusion  that  nothing  short  of  a  thorough 
reform   of  the   existing   government  should    be   attempted. 
This  opinion  was  expressed   in  the  report  of  their  proceed 
ings,  which  was  laid  before  congress.     That  body  adopted. 


22U  CONFEDERATION.  [1787, 

in  consequence,  a  resolution  recommending  that  a  conven 
tion  of  delegates  from  all  the  slates  should  ho  held  ul  Phila 
delphia,  for  the  purpose  of  revising  the  articles  of  confede 
ration,  and  reporting  such  alterations  as  would  render  the 
federal  constitution  adequate  to  thy  exigencies  of  govern 
ment,  and  the  }m;seuv-itkMi  of  the  union, 

8.  With  this  recQim-nendatio'n  all  the  states,  except  Rhode 
Island,  complied  ;  and  in   May,  1787,  the  convention  met. 
Of  this  body  of  venerable  and  illustrious  statesmen,  George 
Washington    was   unanimously   elected    president-      They 
deliberated    with    closed    doors,    and    at    the    end    of   four 
months,  agreed   apon   a  constitution  for  the  United  States 
of  America,  which,  after  being   reported   to  congress,  was 
submitted  for  ratification  to,  conventions  holden   in  the  re 
spective  states. 

9.  Tins  constitution,   under  which  the  citizens   of  this 
republic  have  enjoyed  such  unexampled  happiness  and  pros 
perity,   differs,   in    many  particulars,   from   the    articles   o-f 
confederation.     It   coon-eels  the   states  more  closely  toge 
ther,   by  establishing   a   general   arid  supreme   government 
composed  of  three  departments,  legislative,  executive,  and 
judicial. 

10.  The  legislative  department  consists  of  a  senate  and 
house  of  representatives,  and   is  styled  the  congress.     The 
members  of  the  house  are  chosc3n    by  the   people,  and  hold 
their  offices  two  years.     They  are  apportioned  among  the 
several   states,  according  to  the  number  of  inhabitants,  as 
ascertained  every  tenth  year  by  the  census,  deducting  two* 
fifths  of  the  slaves. 

11.  Tho  senators  are  the  representatives  of  the  states,  ia 
their  sovereign  capacity,  and  are  chosen   by  the  state   legis 
latures,  each  choosing  two-.     The  constitution  ordained  that 
on  assembling  at  the  first  session,  they  should  be  divided,  as 
equally  as  possible,  into,  three  classes.     Those  composing  the 
first   class  were  to   hold   their  offices  but  two  years  ;  those 
composing  the  second  class,  four  years  ,  those  composing 
the  third,  six  years.     All  subsequently  chosen  were  to  hold 
their  offices  six  years,,  except  such   as  should  be  chosen  to- 
supply  the   places  o-f  those  who  died  or  resigned.     Besides 
their  legislative  power,  they  have,  in  concurrence  with  the 
executive,  a  voice  i:i  all  appointments  to  office,  and  in  the 
r  a  t  i  ft  cation  of  t  r  e  a  i  i  ?,  s . 

12.  The   executive   power    is   vested    in    a  president   ap 
pointed    by    electors.     These    electors    are    chosen    in    the 
respective  states,   in  such  manner  us  the  different  logisla. 


1787.]  CONFEDERATION.  221 

tures  may  prescribe,  and  are  equal  in  number  to  the  sena. 
tors  and  representatives  from  the  state  in  congress.  If, 
however,  no  person  receives  a  majority  of  the  votes  of 
these  electors,  the  president  is  then  chosen  by  the  repre 
sentatives,  those  from  ea.ch  state  having1  but  one  vote. 
He  is  elected  for  ftrir  years ;  but  lie  may  be  impeached  ly 
the  house,  tried  by  the  senate,  and,  if  convicted  of  mis- 
conduct,  may  be  removed  from  oflice.  He  is  commander- 
in-chief  of  the  land  and  naval  forces.  He  nominates  to 
the  senate  all  offices  of  the  general  government,  and,  with 
the  advice  and  consent  of  two  thirds  of  that  body,  ratifies 
treaties.  A  vice-president  is  chosen  at  the  same  time, 
and  in  the  same  manner,  to  perform  all  the  duties  of  pre 
sident  when  that  office  is  vacant  by  death,  resignation,  or 
removal/  . 

13.  To  pass  a  law  the  house  and   senate  must  concur, 
and  it  is  then  to  be  sent  to  the  president,  who  must  approve 
it.     If  he  does  not  approve  it,  he   must  return  it  with  his 
objections ;    and  it  must  then  be  agreed  to  by  two  thirds 
•of  both  branches.     Laws  thus 'enacted  are  obligatory  upon 
the   citizens  individually,  and  may  be  executed  by  officers 
appointed    by  the  president    and   senate.     Under  the  con 
federation,  the  .ordinances  of  congress  operated  only  upon 
the  states,  and  no  efficient  mode  was  provided  for  enforcing 
thorn. 

14.  The  constitution   confers  on  congress  th^  power  to 
declare  war ;  to  raise  and  support  armies ;  to  provide  and 
maintain  a  navy  ;  to  lay  and  collect  taxes,  duties,  imposts, 
and  excises  ;  to  regulate  commerce  ;  to  coin  money ;  and  all 
other  powers  of  a  general  or  national  character.     It  dimi 
nishes,  in  no  respect,  the  liberty  of  the  citizen,  but  transfers 
a  portion  of  the  powers,  previously  exercised  by  the  state 
governments,  to  the  government  of  the  union. 

15.  The  judicial  power  of  the  United  States  is  vested  in 
a  supreme  court,  and  such  inferior  courts  as  the  congress- 
may  establish  ;  and  it  extends  to  all  cases  arising  under  the 
constitution,  the  laws  of  congress,  and  treaties  ;  to  all  cases 
of  admiralty  and   maritime  jurisdiction  ;    to  all  controver 
sies  between  citizens  of  different  states,  and  between  foreign 
ers  and  citizens :  the  judges  hold  their  offices  during  good' 
behavior. 

16.  The  new  constitution  found  opposers  as  well  as  advo 
cates,  and  both  were  equally  zealous.     The  former,  ardently 
attached  to  liberty,  imagined  that  rulers  possessing  such  ex 
tensive  sway,  such  abundant  patronage,  and  such  indepen- 

13* 


222  WASHINGTON'S  [1789, 

dent  tenure  of  office,  would  become  fond  of  the  exercise  of 
power,  and,  in  the  end,  arrogant  and  tyrannical.  The  latter 
professed  equal  attachment  to  liberty,  but  contended  that, 
to  preserve  it,  an  energetic  government  was  necessary.  They 
described,  with  powerful  effect,  the  evils  actually  endured 
from  the  inefficiency  of  the  confederation,  and  demanded 
that  a  trial  at  least  should  be  made  of  the  remedy  proposed, 
f  These  took  the  name  of  federalists,  as  friendly  to  a  union  of 
the  states* ;  the  appellation  of  anti-federalists  was  given  to 
their  antagonists. \ 

17.  In    the    conventions    of  j  eleven    states,    a    majority  r 
though  in  Rome  instances  a  snv.ill  one,  decided  in  f;vor  of 
its  ratification.     Provision!  was  then  mii.de  for  the  election 
of  the    officers    to   compose  the    r.vcntive  and    legislative 
departments.     To  the    highest    station,   the   electors,  by  a 
unanimous    vote,    elected    (-v^or^o    WushingtoA    illustrious 
for  his  virtues  and  military  t.lents.     To  the  second,  that 
of   vice,. president,   by   a  vt>:.e   u:-;iriy  invuiliiious,   thr>y  ele 
vated  John   Adams>\vho,  in  stations  less  conspicuous,  h;>d, 
with  equal  patriotism,   rendered  important  services  to  his 
country. 

18.  The  fourth  of  March,  1789,  was  the  day  designated 
for  the  new  government  to  commence  its  operations.     The 
delays  incident  to  its  first  organization,  prevented  the  inau- 
gur.i/ion  of  the  president,  until  the  30th  of  April.     The  ce 
remony  was  witnessed,  with   inexpressible  joy,  by   an   im 
mense  concourse  of  citizens.     In  an  impressive  address  to 
both   houses  of  congress,   ho  declared,  with   characteristic 
modast.y,  his  "  incapacity  for  the  mighty  and  untried  cares 
before  him,"  and  offered  his  "fervent  supplications  to  that 
Almighty   B?ing,  whose  providential  aid  can  supply  every 
human  defect,  that  his  benediction  would  consecrate  to  the 
liberties  and  happiness  of  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
a   government   instituted   by  themselves  for  these  essential 
purposes  ;  and  would  enable  every  instrument,  employed  in 
its  administration,   to  execute,  with  success,  the  functions 
allotted  to  his  charge." 

19.  He  also  expressed  his  firm  conviction,  "  tjiat  the  foun- 
£ation  of  our  national  policy  would  be  laid  in  the  pure  and 
immutable  principles  of  private  morality;  and  that  the  pre- 
crninoiice  of  a  free  government  would  be  exemplified  by  all 
the  attributes  which   can  win  the  affections  of  its  citizens, 
and  command  the  respect  of  the  world." 

20.  "  I  dwell,"  s-sid  he,   "on  this  nrospeet.  with  every  sa 
tisfaction  which  an  ardent  love  for  my  country  can  inspire  ; 


1790.]  ADMINISTRATION.  223 

since  there  is  no  truth  more  thoroughly  established,  than 
that  there  exists,  in  thy  economy  arid  course  of  nature,  an 
indissoluble  union  between  virtue  and  happiness;  between 
duty  and  advantage  ;  between  the  genuine  maxims  of  an 
honest  and  magnanimous  policy,  and  the  solid  rewards  of 
public  prosperity  arid  felicity;  und  since  the  destiny  of  the 
republican  model  of  government  is  justly  considered  as 
DEEPLY,  perhaps  as  FINALLY,  staked  on  the  experiment  in 
trusted  to  the  American  people." 

21.  To  establish  a  revenue  sufficient  for  the  support  of 
government,  and  for  the  discharge  of  the  debt  contracted  in 
the  revolutionary  war,  was  the  first  object  of  congress.    For 
this  purpose,  duties  were   laid   on   the  importation  of  mer- . 
chandise,  and  on  the  tonnage  of  vessels  ;  and   from  those 
sources  were  drawn  into  the  national  treasury,  funds  which 
had  before  been  collected  and  appropriated  by  the  states  on 
the  sea  coast. 

22.  Laws,  creating  a  department  of  state,  of  the  treasury, 
and  of  war,  were  enacted  ;  and   Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  Hamil 
ton,  and  general   Knox,  appointed  secretaries  or  principals. 
A  national  judiciary  was  constituted  and  organized.     A  re 
solve   was   passed,   directing  the  secretary   of  the   treasury 
to    prepare    a  plan   for  the  support   of   public  credit ;    and 
amendments  to  the  constitution  were  proposed,  which  were 
subsequently  ratified  by  the   states  ;  arid  which,  removing 
many  of  the   objections  made   to  it,  rendered  it  acceptable 
to  all. 

23.  After  the  adjournment  of  congress,  the  president  made 
a  tour  through  New  England,  where  he  was  received  by  the 
inhabitants  with  an  affection  bordering  on  adoration.    People 
of  all  classes  crowded  to  behold  the  man  whose  virtues  and 
talents  exalted  him,  in  their  view,  above  the  heroes  of  an 
cient  and  modern  times  ;  and  to  present   to  him  the  undis- 
Beinbled  homage  of  their  grateful   hearts.     But  to  none  did 
his  visit  give  more  exquisite  pleasure  than  to  the  officers  and 
soldiers  of  the  "  patriot   army,"  who   had  been  his  compa 
nions  in  suffering  and  in  victory,  who  were  endeared  to  him 
by  th«»ir  bravery  and   fidelity  in  war,   and  by  the   magna 
nimity  with  which,  in  peace,  they  endured  unmerited  neglect 
and  poverty. 

24.  At  the  next  session  of  congress,  which  commenced 
in    January,    1790,    Mr.    Hamilton,    the    secretary    of  the 
treasury,  made  his  cele1  rated  report  upon  the  public  debts 
contracted  during  the  revolutionary  war.     Taking-  an  able 
and  enlarged  view   of  thu  advantages  of  public  credit,  he 


«?4  WASHINGTON'S  [1790. 

recommended  that,  not  only  the  debts  of  the  continental 
congress,  but  those  of  the  states  arising  from  their  exer 
tions  in  the  common  cause,  should  be  funded  or  assumed 
by  the  general  government  ;  and  that  provision  should  be 
made  for  paying  the  interest,  by  imposing  taxes  on  cer 
tain  articles  of  luxury,  and  on  spirits  distilled  within  the 
country. 

25.  Upon   this   report   an  animated   debate  took,   place. 
Its  recommendations  were  opposed  by  that  party  who  had 
seen  or  thought  they   had  seen,  in  the  constitution,  rr  my 
features  hostile  to  freedom,  and  who  remembered  that  Mr. 
Hamilton,  when  a  member  of  the  convention,  had  propos^ 
that  the  president  and  senate  should  be  appointed  to  bold 
their  offices  during  good  behavior.     They   now  expressed 
their    fears,    that    the    assumption    of   these    debts    would 
render  the   government  still  stronger,   by  drawing    around 
it  a  numerous  and  powerful  body  of  public  creditors,  who, 
in  all  its  contests  with  the  states  or  the  people,  would  be 
bound,  by  the  strongest  of  all  ties,  that  of  interest,  to  sup. 
port    it   whether    right    or   wrong.      This    party,    existing* 
principally  in  the  southern  states,  and  professing  an  ardent 
attachment  to  the  equal  rights  of  man,  took  the  name  of 
republican. 

26.  Mr.  Madison   proposed,  that  whenever  the  public  se 
curities  had  been  transferred,  the  highest  price  which  they 
had  borne  in  the  market  should  be   paid   to  the  purchaser, 
and  the  residue  to  the  original  holder.     After  art  eloquent 
debate,  this  proposition  was  rejected.     The  party  denomi 
nated  federal,  and  existing  principally  in  the  northern  states, 
supported  throughout,  with  great  ability  and  force  of  rea 
soning,  the  plans  of  the  secretary  ;  but  on  taking  the  vote 
in  the  house  of  -representatives,  they  were  rejected  by  a  ma 
jority  of  two. 

27.  Afterwards    this    national    measure   was   connected, 
as  is  too  frequently  the  case  in  legislative  bodies,  with  one 
which   had  excited  much  local  feeling.     It  was  "understood 
that,  should  the  seat  of  government  be  fixed  for  ten  years 
at  Philadelphia,  and  afterwards  permanently  at  a  place  to 
be  selected  on  the  Potomac,  some  southern  members  would 
withdraw  their  opposition  to  the  funding  system.     A  law 
to  that  effect   was  accordingly  enacted.     The   former  dis 
cussion   was   then    resumed.      The  plans    of  the  secretary 
were   adopted  in   the   senate   and  afterwards  in  the  house, 
two  members,  representing  districts  on  the  Potomac,  chang- 
uig  their  votes.     The  debt  funded  amounted  to  a  little  more 


i79L]  ADMINISTRATION.  225 

than  seventy-five  millions  of  dollars  ;  upon  a  part  of  which 
three  per  cent.,  arid  upon  the  remainder  six  per  cent.,  in 
terest  was  to  be  paid. 

28.  The  effect  of  this  measure  was  great  and  rapid.     The 
price   of  the   public   pap€r,   wbich    had   fallen  to  twelve  or 
fifteen   cents   on   the   dollar,  suddenly  rose   to  the  sum  ex 
pressed  on  the  face  of  it.     This  difference  was   gained,  in 
most  instances,  by  purchasers  of  the  securities,  who.  feeling 
indebted,  for  this  immense  accession  of  wealth,  to  the  plans 
of  the  secretary,  reguixled  him  with  enthusiastic  attachment. 
But  in  others,  this  wealth,  suddenly  acquired  without  merit, 
excited  envy  and  dissatisfaction.     These  joined  the  repub 
lican  party ;  who,  fancying  they  were  witnessing  the  fulfil 
rnent  of  their  prediction,  became  more  active  in  their  oppo 
sition. 

29.  The  recommendation  of  the  secretary  to  impose  ad 
ditional  duties,  was  not  acted   upon  until   the  next  session 
of  congress.     Those  on  distilled    spirits   were  proposed  in 
order  to  render  the  burdens  of  the  inhabitants  beyond  the 
Allegheny   mountains,    where    no    other    spirits   were    con 
sumed,  equal  to  those  of  the  inhabitants  on  the  sea  coast, 
who  consumed  most  of  the  articles  on  which  an  import  duty 
was   paid.     In   the  beginning  of  the  year  1791,  they  were 
laid    as    proposed.      A    national    bank,    recommended    also 
by   the  same  officer,   was    in  the  same    year  incorporated. 
Both  measures  met  a  violent  opposition  from  the  republican 
party. 

30.  When    the    new    government    was    first    organized, 
but    eleven    states    had    ratified    the    constitution.      After 
wards,   North    Carolina    and    Rhode    Island,    the    two    dis 
senting   states,  adopted   it  ;  the  former  in  November,  1789, 
the  latter    in  May,    1790.     In   1791,    Vermont  adopted    it. 
and   applied    to   congress    to    be   admitted    into    the   union- 
The   territory  of  this  state,  situated  between  New  Hamp 
shire  and  New  York,  was   claimed  by  both,  and  both  had 
made    grants    of    land    within    its   limits.      In    1777,    the 
inhabitants,  refusing    to  submit   to    either,   declared    them 
selves    independent.      Although    not    represented     in     the 
continental    congress,  yoi,  during   the  war,  they   embraced 
the   cause   of  their    brethren    in    the    other  states,    and    to 
them     their     aid    was     often     rendered,    aiid    was    always 
efficient.     Agreeably    to    their    request,    a*i    act    wus    now 
passed,   constituting  Vermont  one  of  the  members  of  the 
union.     An  act  was  also  passed,  declaring  that  the  district 
of  Kentucky,  then   a  part  of  Virginia,  should  be  admitted 


226  WASHINGTON'S  [1792 

into  the  union  on  the  first  day  of  June,  in  the  succeeding 
year.. 

31.  In  1791  was  completed  the  first  census  or  enumera 
tion  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States.    They  amounted 
to  3,921,326,  of  which  number  695.655  were  slaves.     The 
revenue,  according  to  the  report  of  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury,  amounted  to  4,771,000  dollars,  the  exports  to  about 
nineteen,   and   the   imports  to  about    twenty  millions.     A 
great  improvement  in  the  circumstances  of  the  people  began 
at  this  period   to   be  visible.     The   establishment  of  a  firm 
and  regular  government,  and  confidence  in  the  men  whom 
they  had  chosen  to  administer  it,  gave  an  impulse  to  their 
exertions  which  bore  them  rapidly  forward  in  the  career  of 
prosperity. 

32.  In  1790,  a  termination  was  put  to  the  war  which, 
for  several    years,    had  raged    between  the  Creek    Indians 
and    the    state   of   Georgia.     Pacific    overtures    were    also 
made    to   the   hostile   tribes   inhabiting   the    banks    of  the 
Seioto   and  the  Wabash.     These   being  rejected,  an  army 
of   1-400    men.   commanded    by  general    Harmer,  was    de 
spatched   against   them.      Two   battles   were    fought,   near 
Chilicothe,  in  Ohio,  between   successive  detachments  from 
this  army  and  the  Indians,  in  which  the  latter  were  vic 
torious. 

33.  Emboldened   by   these    successes,   they   made   more 
vigorous  attacks  upon  the   frontier  settlements,  which  suf 
fered  all  the  distressing  calamities  of  an  Indian  war.     Addi 
tional   troops  were  raised,  and  the  command   of  the  whole 
was  given  to  general  St.  Clair.^  With  near  2000  men,  he 
marched,  in  October,  into  the  wilderness.     By  desertion  and 
detachments,  this   force  was  reduced   to  fourteen  hundred. 
On  the  third  of  November,  they  encamped  a  few  miles  from 
the  villages  on  the  Miami,  intending  to  remain  tliore  until 
joined  by  those  who  were  absent. 

34.  But  before  sunrise,  the  next  morning,  just  after  the 
troops  were  dismissed  from  the  parade,  they  were  attacked 
unexpectedly  by  the   Indians.     The  new  levies,  who  were 
in    front,    rushed    back    in    confusion   upon    the    regulars. 
These,   who    had    been  hastily  formed,  were    thrown   into 
disorder.      They,     however,    with     great     intrepidity,    ad 
vanced   into   the   n/idst   of  the  enemy,  who    retired   from 
covert   to  covert,  keeping  always   beyond  reach,  and  again 
returning  as  soon  as  the  troops  were  recalled  from  pursuit. 
In   these    charges    man}/'    brave    and   experienced    officers 


1793.1  ADMINISTRATION.  227 

were  killed  ;  the  loss  of  men  was  also  great,  and  no  perma 
nent  impression  was  made  upon  the  enemy. 

35.  At  length,  after  a  contest  of  three  or  four  hours,  St. 
Clair,  whose  ill  health  disabled  him  from  performing  the  ac 
tive  duties  of  commander,  determined  to  withdraw  from  the 
field  the  remnant  of  his  troops.     The  instant  that  the  direc 
tions  to  retire  were   given,  a  disorderly  flight  commenced. 
Fortunately  for  the   survivors,  the  victorious   Indians  were 
soon  recalled  from  pursuit  to  the  camp,  by  their  avidity  for 
plunder  ;  and  the  vanquished  continued  their  retreat  unmo 
lested  to  the  frontier  settlements. 

36.  In    this  battle,   the   numbers  engaged  on   each   side 
were  supposed  to  be  equal.     Of  the  whites,  the  slaughter 
was  almost  beyond  example.     Six  hundred   and  thirty  were 
killed  and  missing,  and  two  hundred  and  sixty  were  wound 
ed — a    loss  which    proves    at    once    the   obstinacy  of   the 
defence,   and  the  bravery  of  the   assailants.     On   receiving 
information   of  this   disaster,   congress,  resolving  to  prose 
cute    the  war   with    increased  vigor,   made    provision    for 
augmenting,  by  enlistment,  the  military  force  of  the  nation 
to  5000  men. 

37.  In  the   autumn   of  1792,   General  Washington  was 
again  unanimously  elected   president  of  the   American  re 
public,    and    in   March,    1793,    was    inducted    into    office. 
Mr.  Adams  was  re-elected  vice-president,  in   opposition  to 
George  Clinton,  of  New  York.     In   the   progress  of  these 
elections,  but  little  party  feeling  was  exhibited  ;  the  repose 
of  society  was  not  disturbed,  but  the  citizens  raised  to  posts 
of  the  highest  honor  those  whom  their  judgments  and  affec 
tions  designated  as  the  most  worthy. 

38.  While    the   Americans,   with    but    little   alloy,   were 
enjoying,   under  a   government   of   their    own   choice,   the 
blessings    of    independence    and    freedom,    the    people    of 
France,   by  whose   aid  these    blessings  had   been   acquired, 
were  experiencing  all  the  miseries  of  anarchy.     Grievously 
oppressed  by  institutions  originating  in  times  of  ignorance 
and  barbarism,  they  had  risen   in   the   majesty  of  physical 
strength,   and    declared    their    determination    to    be    free. 
Against  a  whole  people,  aroused  by  their   sufferings  to  de 
mand  their  rights,  what  effectual  resistance  can  be  opposed? 
Before  their   energetic  exertions,  prompted   by   enthusiasm 
and  directed   bv  fatal  skill,  their  ancient  government  crum 
bled  to  the  dust. 

39.  Passing  at  once  from  abject  slavery  to  entire  liberty, 
their  conduct  was  marked  by  the  most  shocking  excesses. 


228  WASHINGTON'S  [1793. 

The  mild  virtues  of  their  king,  alleviating  but  slightly  the 
evils  of  despotism,  could  not  save  him  from  that  resentment 
which  consigned  to  indiscriminate  destruction  the  hereditary 
orders.  Himself,  his  queen,  arid  many  thousands  of  the  no- 
bility  and  clergy,  suffered  death  on  the  scaffold.  A  new  go. 
vernment  was  instituted,  having,  for  its  fundamental  princi 
ple,  the  universal  equality  of  man.  Its  form  was  often 
changed,  and  the  reins  of  authority  were  successively,  but 
unsteadily,  held  by  the  temporary  favorites  of  an  unenlight 
ened  ynd  capricious  people. 

40.  The  Americans  could  not  regard   with   indifference 
this  struggle  of  their  allies  for  freedom.     They  considered 
their  excesses  as  the   first  effects  of  sudden   relief  from  op. 
pression,  and  hoped  that  experience  would  produce  sobriety 
of  conduct  and  reverence  for  law.     They  hailed  the  French 
revolution  as  the  offspring  of  their  own,  and  cherished  the 
flattering  expectation  that,  by  the  diffusion  of  the  principles 
of  liberty,  the  whole  civilized  world  would  become  partakers 
of  its  blessings. 

41.  The  French  people,  at  the  same  time,  regarded  the 
Americans  as  their  brethren,  bound  to  them  by  the  ties   of 
gratitude  ;  and  when  the  kings  of  Europe,  dreading  the  es 
tablishment    of  republicanism     in    her    borders,    assembled 
in  arms  to  restore  monarchy  to  France,  they  looked   across 
the    Atlantic     for    sympathy    and    assistance.      The    new 
government,    recalling    the  minister  whom    the   king  had 
appointed,  despatched  the   citizen  Genet,  of  ardent  temper 
and  a  zealous  republican,  to  supply  his  place.     In  April, 
1793,  he  arrived  at  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina,  where  ho 
was  received,  by  the  governor  and  the  citizens,  in   a  man 
ner  expressive   of  their   warm   attachment   to  his   country, 
and  their  cordial  approbation  of  the  change  in  her  institu 
tions. 

42.  Flattered  by  his  reception,  and   presuming  that  the 
nation   and  the  government  wore   actuated   by  similar   feel- 
ings,   he    assumed   the   authority   of  expediting    privateers 
from  that  port  to  cruise  against  the  vessels  of  nations  who 
were  enemies    to  France,  but   at    peace  with    the   United 
States,  a  procedure  forbidden  by  the  laws  of  nations,  and 
derogatory  to    the  government  of   the  counlry.     Notwith 
standing  this  illegal  assumption  of  power,  he  received,  on 
his   journey  to  Philadelphia,  extravagant  marks  of   publio 
attachment  ;    and,   on    his   arrival    there,   "  crowds   flocked 
from  every  avenue  of  the  city  to  meet  the  republican  am*, 
bassador  of  an  allied  nation."     Intoxicated   bv  these  con*. 


1793.]  ADMINISTRATION.  229 

tinued  and  increased  demonstrations  of  regard,  he  persisted 
in  forming  and  executing  schemes  of  hostility  against  the 
enemies  of  France. 

43.  The   British    minister  complained    to  the  president, 
who,  by  the  unanimous  advice  of  his  cabinet,  directed  Mr. 
Jefferson,  the  secretary  of  state,  to  lay  before  the  minister 
of  France  the  principles  which  would  regulate  the  conduct 
of  the  executive  in  relation  to  the  powers  at  war.     These 
principles   forbade   the  course   which   Mr.   Genet   had  pur. 
sued.     Relying  on  the  popularity  of  his  nation,  he  attempted, 
by  insolent  and  offensive  declarations,  to  drive  the  president 
from  the  ground   he  had  taken.     He  threatened  to   appeal 
from  the  government  to  the  people,  a  measure  which  other 
agents  of  the  French  ^  republic  had    adopted  with    success 
in   Europe.      Here  the*  result  was  different.      The    people 
rallied  around    rulers,   having  the   same   interest  as  them 
selves.     The    minister    was    abandoned    by    most    of    his 
friends  ;  his  government,   at  the   request  of  the   president, 
annulled   his   powers  ;  and  fearing  to  return,  he   remained 
in  the  country,  a  striking  example  of  the  imbecility  of  a  fac 
tious  individual   among  a  people  confiding  in  their  rulers, 
and  contented  with  their  lot. 

44.  This  conduct  of  Mr.  Genet,  the   atrocities   commit 
ted  by  the  French   people,  and  the  dreaded  danger  of  their 
example,  alienated  from   them  many  of  the  citizens  of  the 
United   States,    especially  those    belonging    to  the   federal 
party.     And  as  the  world  was  then  agitated  by  the  mighty 
contest    between    France    and    Great    Britain — a    contest 
which    permitted    net    neutrality    of    feeling — those    who 
became  hostile  to  the  former  became   naturally  the  friends 
of  the    latter.     To    her    they    were    besides    attracted    by 
identity  of  origin,  by  resemblance  of  institutions,  by  simi 
larity  of  language,  bv  community  of  laws,  of  literature,  and 
of  religion. 

45.  The  republicans  retained  an  unabated   affection   for 
the   French,   whose   services  they  remembered  with  grati 
tude,  and  whose  struggles  for  freedom,  against  the  league 
of  European  tyrants,  engaged  all  their  sympathy.      Over 
these  two  parties  Washington,   admitting  no  thought  but 
for  his  own  country,  watched  with  anxious  solicitude,  striv 
ing  to  restrain  their  aberrations,  and  to  temper  their  mutual 
animosities. 

46.  After  the  defeat  of  St.  Clair  by  the  Indians,  in  1791, 
general  Wayne  was  appointed  to  coinmand  the  American 

20 


230  WASHINGTON'S  [1794 

forces.  Taking1  post  near  the  country  of  the  enemy,  ha 
made  assiduous  and  long  protracted  endeavors  to  negotiate  a 
peace.  Failing  in  these,  he  marched  against  them,  at  the 
head  of  three  thousand  men.  On  the  20th  of  August,  171)4, 
an  action  took  place  in  the  vicinity  of  one  of  the  British  gar. 
risons,  on  the  hanks  of  the  Miami.  A  rapid  and  vigorous 
charge  roused  the  savages  from  their  coverts,  and  they  wera 
driven  more  than  two  miles  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 
Broken  and  dismayed,  they  fled  without  renewing  the  com. 
bat.  Their  houses  and  cornfields  were  destroyed,  and  forta 
were  erected  on  the  sites  of  the  towns  laid  waste.  In  1795, 
a  treaty  was  concluded  at  Grenville,  which,  long  and  faith 
fully  observed,  gave  peace  and  security  to  the  frontier  inha 
bitants,  permitting  the  abundant  population  of  the  eastern 
states  to  spread  with  astonishing  rapidity,  over  the  fertile  re. 
gion  north-west  of  the  Ohio. 

-"*47.  The  tax  which  had  been  imposed  upon  spirits  dis 
tilled  within  the  country,  bearing  heavily  upon  the  peoplo 
in  the  western  counties  of  Pennsylvania,  produced  thero 
dissaifection  and  disturbance.  All  excise  taxes,  of  which 
this  was  one,  being  considered  hostile  to  liberty,  great  exer 
tions  were  made  to  excite  the  public  resentment  against 
those  who  should  willingly  pay  it,  and  especially  against 
the  officers  appointed  to  collect  it.  In  September,  1791, 
a  large  meeting  of  malcontents  was  held  at  Pittsburgh, 
at  which  resolutions,  encouraging  resistance  to  the  laws, 
were  passed  ;  arid  subsequently  other  meetings  were  held, 
ftt  which  similar  resolutions  were  adopted.  Committees  of 
correspondence  were  also  appointed  to  give  unity  of  system 
to  their  measures,  and  to  increase  the  number  of  their  asso 
ciates. 

48.  A  proclamation  of  the  president,  exhorting  all  por 
ions  to  desist  from  illegal  combinations,  and  calling  on  the 

lagistraies  to  execute  tiie  laws,  was  disregarded.  The  mar. 
:!ial  of  the  state,  while  serving  processes  upon  delinquents 
and  offenders,  was  resisted  and  fired  upon.  The  inspector 
of  the  revenue,  dreading  the  indignation  of  the  populace 
procured  a  small  detachment  of  soldiers  to  guard  his  housv,-. 
These  were  attacked  by  a  body  of  five  hundred  insurgent,;- 
who,  setting  fire  to  several  contiguous  buildings,  obliged  tlto 
soldiers  to  leave  the  house,  and  deliver  themselves  up.  F*?. 
veral  individuals,  zealous  in  supporting  the  government, 
were  ordered  to  quit  the  country  and  compelled  to  obey.  An 
intention  was  openly  avowed  of  forcibly  resisting  the  gone- 


1795  J  ADMINISTRATION.  231 

ral  government  with  a  view  of  extorting  n,  repeal  of  the  Of 
fensive  laws.  The  effective  strength  of  the  insurgents  \vas 
computed  at  seven  thousand  num. 

49.  The  president,  conceiving  himself  bound  by  the  most 
solemn  obligations.  "  to  take  care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully 
executed,"  determined  to  call  out   a   part   of  the  militia  of 
Pe  n  n  sylvan  in,  and  the  adjacent  states,  to  suppress  this  insur 
rection.     In  the  autumn  of  1794,  fifteen  thousand  were  de 
tached,  and  being  placed   under  the  command  of  governor 
L^e,  of  Virginia,  were  marched  into  the  disaffected  counties. 
The  strength  of  this  army  rendering  resistance  desperate, 
none  was  offered,  and  no  blood  was  shed.     A  few  of  the  most 
active  leaders  were  seized  and  detained  for  legal  prosecution. 
The   great,   body  of  the  insurgents  on  submission  were  par 
doned,  as  were  also  the  leaders,  after  trial  and  conviction  of 
treason.     The  government  acquired  the  respect  of  the  peo 
ple,  by  this  exertion  of  its  force,  and  their  affection,  by  this 
display  of  its  lenity. 

50.  Since    the    peace    of   1783,   Great    Britain    and    the 
United  States    had    each    incessantly  complained  that    the 
other  had  violated  the  stipulations  contained  in  the  treaty. 
The  former  was   accused   of  having   carried    away    negroes 
at  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war  ;  and  of  retaining  in 
her  possession   certain  military  posts  situated  in  the  west 
ern  wilderness,  and  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States, 
in  consequence  of  which  the  Americans  were  deprived  of 
their    share    of   the  fur    trade,  and  the  Indians    incited  to 
make  incursions  upon  the  frontier  settlements.     The  latter 
were   accused  of    preventing  the  loyalists    from    regaining 
possession    of  their   estates,  and    British   subjects   from   re 
covering  debts  contracted  before  the  commencement  of  hos 
tilities. 

51.  For  the  purpose  of  adjusting  these  mutual  complaints, 
and  also  of  concluding  a  commercial  treaty,  Mr.  Adams,  in 
1785,  was    appointed    minister    to  London.     Great  Britain 
a .ware  that  the  articles  of  confederation  did  not  authorize 
congress  to  bind  the  states  by  a  commercial  treaty,  declined 
then  to  negotiate.    After  the  constitution  was  ratified,  minis 
ters  were  interchanged,  and  the  discussion  was  prosecuted 
with  no  little  acrimony  and  zeal. 

52.  In   1794,  Mr.  Jay  being  then  minister  from   the  Uni 
ted  States,  a  treaty  was  concluded,  which,  in  the  spring  of  the 
next  year  was  lai'd  before  the  senate.     That  body  advised  the 
president  to  ratify  it,  on  condition  that  an  alteration  should 
be  made  in  one  of  the  articles.     Its  contents  having,  in  the 


232  WASHINGTON'S  [1795. 

mean  time,  been  disclosed,  the  republican  party  exclaimed, 
in  intemperate  language,  against  most  of  the  stipulations  it 
contained.  The  partisans  of  France  swelled  the  cry  ot 
condemnation.  Public  meetings  were  held  in  various  parts 
of  the  union,  at  which  resolutions  were  passed  express, 
ing  warm  disapprobation  of  the  treaty,  and  an  earnest 
wish  that  the  president  would  withhold  his  ratification. 
Sucli  appeared  to  be  the  wis,h  of  a  great  majority  of  the 
people. 

53.  General   Washington,   believing  that  an   adjustment 
of   differences    would    conduce    to    the    prosperity    of  the 
republic,  and  that  the  treaty  before  him  was  the  best  that 
could,   at   that   time,    be   obtained,   gave   it   his   assent,   in 
defiance   of  popular   clamor.     So  great  was  the  confidence 
reposed,    by  the  people,   in   their   beloved   chief-magistrate, 
that  the  public  sentiment    began    immediately  to  change. 
The  friends  of  the  treaty  not  only  increased  in  numbers,  but 
gained   courage  to  speak   in  its  defence.     And   during  the 
summer  of  1795,  the  nation  was  agitated  by  a  zealous  and 
animated  discussion  of  its  merits. 

54.  At  the  next  session  of  congress,  it  b&came  a  subject  of 
consideration  in  the  house  of  representatives.     The  treaty, 
its  negotiator,  and  even  the  president,  were  virulently  cen 
sured,  and  warmly  defended,  in  a  debate  which  has  seldom 
been  equalled  for  its  intemperance,  its  eloquence,  or  its  dura. 
.tion.     On  the  final  question,  a  majority  of  three  voted  in  fa. 
vor  of  the   appropriation   necessary  to   carry  it  into  effect. 
The  subsequent  prosperity  of  American  commerce  demon- 
strates  the  wisdom  of  tbe  president's  decision. 

55.  The  conduct  of  Spain  towards  the  United  States,  had 
ever   been  cold  and  unfriendly.     She  feared   lest  the  princi 
ples  of  liberty,  and  the  desire  of  independence  should  find 
their  w;iy  into  her  contiguous  American  provinces.     During 
the   negotiations   at  Paris,  which   resulted   in  peace,  she  se 
cretly  exerted   her  influence   to   cause  the  western   bounda 
ries  of  the  new  republic,  from  the  great  lakes  to  Florida,  to 
bo  fixed  two  or  three  hundred  miles  east  of  the  Mississippi. 
T©  the  repeated  offers,  which  were  afterwards  made,  to  form 
with  her  a  commercial  treaty,  and  to  make  arrangements  re 
specting  the   mutual   navigation  of  that  river,  she  pertina 
ciously  declined  to  accede. 

56.  When  the  inhabitants  beyond  the  Alleghany  moun 
tains   had    become   numerous,   she   denied   them    access    to 
the  ocean  by  the  medium  of  that  river,  the  mouth  of  which, 
was    within    her    province    of   Louisiana.     She    intended, 


1795.]  ADMINISTRATION.  233 

perhaps,  to  show  them  the  importances  of  that  privilege 
by  withholding  it,  and  to  allure  them,  by  the  promise  of 
restoring  it,  to  submit  to  her  authority.  The  people  of 
Kentucky,  indignant  at  the  deprivation,  laid  th'dr  com 
plaints  before  congress.  In  bold  and  forcible  language 
they  asserted  their  rights,  by  the  laws  of  God  and  of 
nature,  to  the  free  use  of  that  noble  river,  and  demanded 
that,  at  any  cost,  the  acknowledgement  of  that  right  should 
be  obtained. 

57.  At    length   Spain    became   involved    in   a  war  with 
France.     Embarrassed    at    home,    and    intimidated    by  the 
unauthorized    preparations    which,  under    the    auspices    of 
Genet,  were    making    in    Kentucky  to    invade    Louisiana, 
Bhe    intimated    her    readiness    to    conclude    a    satisfactory 
treaty,  should  a  minister    be  sent  to  Madrid  for  that  pur- 
pose.     Thomas    Pinkney    was    accordingly    appointed,     in 
October,  1795,  a  treaty  was  signed,  securing  to  the  citizens 
of  the  United  States  the  free  navigation   of  the  Mississippi 
to  the  ocean,  and  the  privilege  of  landing  and  depositing  car- 
go?.s  at  New  Orleans. 

58.  Tims    were    adjusted    all    controversies    with    two 
European   powers,  which,  while  they  existed,  retarded   the 
prosperity,  and  disturbed   the   tranquillity   of  the  country; 
md  from  which,  at  different  periods,  even  war  was  seriously 
apprehended.     In    1795,   a  treaty  was  also  concluded   with 
the  regency  of  Algiers,  with  which   the   republic  was  pro- 
piously  at   war.     It   stipulated   that  the   United    States,   in 
conformity  with  the  practice  of  other  nations,  should,  as  the 
price  of  peace,  pay  an  annual  tribute  to  the  sovereign  of  that 
country. 

59.  Within   the   last  two  or  three  years,  several  changes 
look   place   in  the  important  offices  of  the  nation.     On  the 
Erst  day  of  the  year  1794,  Mr.  Jefferson  resigned  the  office 
of    secretary  of    state.      He    had   performed    the   duties  of 
that   office   with    extraordinary  ability,   and    to    the   entire 
satisfaction    of  the   president.      Having    been    minister   to 
France  at   the  commencement  of  the   revolution  there,  he 
bocame  acquainted  with  its  prime  movers,  and,  anticipating 
from    their    exertions    the   diffusion    of   the    principles    of 
liberty  and  the  renovation  of  the  government,  was,  in  the 
early  stages  of  its  progress,  its  enthusiastic  and  undisguised 
defender.     Of  the  republican   party,  he  was  considered  the 
leader,  enjoying  their  highest   confidence   and  warmest  at. 
tachment.      He   was  succeeded  by  Edmund  Randolph,   of 
Virginia. 


234  WASHINGTON'S  [1795. 

60.  On   the  last  day   of  January,    1795,   Mr.   Hamilton 
retired   from   the   office   of  secretary  of  the   treasury.     He 
possessed    distinguished    talents,    and    had    exerted    those 
talents  to  establish   order  where   all  was   confusion,  and  to 
raise  from  the  lowest  depression   the  credit  of  the  country. 
His   complete   success  greatly  exalted   his   reputation,   and 
to  him  the  federalists  felt  a  sincerity  of  attachment  equalled 
only    by    that   'entertained    for    Washington.      With    him 
he  had  served  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  had  then  ac. 
quired  his   confidence   and   affection,  which   he  ever  after, 
wards  retained.     Being  the  advocate   of  an  energetic   go 
vernment,  and   averse   to  intrusting  much  power  with  the 
people,  he  was  peculiarly  obnoxious  to  the  republican  par 
ty.     He  was  accused  of  partiality  to  England,  and  of  mis 
conduct  in  office.     After  the   closest  scrutiny,  his   official 
character    was    acknowledged    by  his  enemies,  to  be  with 
out  stain.     He  was  succeeded  by  Oliver  Wolcott,  of  Con. 
necticut. 

61.  At  the  close  of  the  year  1794,  general  Knox  resigned 
the  office   of  secretary  of  war,   and   colonel   Pickering,   of 
Massachusetts,  was  appointed  in  his  place.     In  August  Mr. 
Randolph,  having  lost  the  confidence  of  the  president,  and 
having  in  consequence  retired  from  the  administration,  Mr. 
Pickering  was  appointed  his  successor  in  the  department  of 
state,  and  James  M'Henry,  of  Maryland,  was  made  secretary 
ef  war.     No  republican  being  now  at  the  head  of  any  of  the 
departments,  many  of  the   leaders  of  that   party   withdrew 
their  support  from  the  administration  ;  and  licentious  indi 
viduals,  in  their  abusive  attacks,  dared  to  charge  even  the 
president  with  corruption.    But  the  confidence  of  the  people 
in  his  integrity  and  patriotism  experienced  not  the  slightest 
abatement. 

62.  The   conduct  of  France   towards  the   American  re- 
public  continued  to  be  a  source  of  increasing  trouble  and 
vexation.     Mr.  Fauchet,  the  successor  of  Genet,  bore,  from 
those  by  whom  he  was  deputed,  the  strongest  assurances  of 
friendship  ;  but  encouraged  and  supported  by  a  numerous 
party  ardently  attached  to  his  nation,  he  gradually  assumed 
towards  the  administration  the  tone  of  remonstrance  and  re 
proach.     He  charged  it  with  sentiments  of  hostility  to  the 
allies  of  the  United  States,  with  partiality  for  their   former 
foes,  an^  urged  the  adoption  of  a  course  more  favorable  to 
the  ca.ise  of  liberty. 

63.  The  Ameroan  government  was  in   fact  desirous  ot 
lnllincr  all  its  duties  to  Fv;.r»r.p    and  of   conciliatiuo-  her 


1796.]  ADMINISTRATION.  235 

friendship.  Mr.  Morris,  the  minister  to  Paris,  having  in- 
curred  the  displeasure  of  those  in  power,  was  recalled  at 
their  request,  and  his  place  supplied  by  Mr.  Monroe  of  Vir 
ginia.  This  gentleman  was  a  republican,  and  had  embraced 
with  ardor  the  cause  of  the  French  republic.  He  was  re- 
ceived  in  the  most  respectful  manner  by  the  convention,  who 
decreed  that  the  flags  of  the  two  republics,  entwined  toge 
ther,  should  be  suspended  in  the  legislative  hall,  as  a  mark  of 
their  eternal  union  and  friendship. 

64.  Mr.  Adet  was  appointed,  soon  after,  to  succeed  Mr. 
Fauchet.      He    brought  with    him    the   colors  of    France, 
which  he  was  instructed,  by  the  convention,  to  present  to 
the  congress  of  the  United  States.     They  were  received  by 
the    president  with    extraordinary   ceremonies,   transmitted 
to  congress,  arid   afterwards  deposited  in   the  national   ar 
chives.     In   the  house  of  representatives,  a  resolution  was 
unanimously  adopted,  expressing  the  lively  sensations  which 
were  excited  by  this  testimony  of  the  existing  sympathy  of 
the  two  republics,  and  their  hope,  that  the  brilliant  and  glo 
rious  victories  of  the  French  people  would  lead  to  the  per- 
feet  establishment  of  their  liberty  and  happiness. 

65.  But  France  required  of  the  United  States  more  than 
professions  and  hopes,  and  more  than  by  treaty  she  was  en 
titled  to  claim.     She  wished  to  make  them  a  party  in  the 
war  she  was  waging  with  the  despots  of  Europs.     Failing 
in  this,  and  jealous  of  the  more  intimate  relations  contracted 
with  her  enemy,  she  adopted  regulations  highly  injurious  to 
American  commerce,  directing  her  cruisers  to  capture,  in 
certain  cases,  the  vessels  of  the  United  States.     In  conse 
quence  of  these  regulations,  several  hundreds,   loaded  with 
valuable  cargoes,   were,   while  prosecuting   a  lawful  trade, 
taken,  and  the  whole  confiscated. 

66.  Believing  that  the  rights  of  the  nation  were  not  as 
serted  and  vindicated  with  sufficient  spirit  by  Mr.  Monroe, 
the   president   recalled    him,    and    Cluirles   C.    Pinkney,    of 
South  Carolina,  was  appointed  in  his  stead.     In  the  summer 
of  1796,  he  left  the  United  States,  instructed  to  use  every 
eifort  compatible  with  national  honor,  to  restore  the  amica 
ble  relations  which  had  once  subsisted  between  the  sister  re 
publics. 

'67.  General  Washington  having,  at  the  sacrifice  of  his 
own  predilections,  devoted  a  groat  portion  of  his  life  to  his 
country;  having  sucessfully  conducted  its  armies  through  an 
arduous  conflict  for  existence  ;  and  having  since  directed  its 
course  t.hrou  h  the  most  critical  oeriod  of  an  experiment 


•236       WASHINGTON'S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1795. 

under  a  free  constitution,  determined  to  retire  to  the  enjo  > 
ment  of  domestic  happiness  and  rural  quiet.  In  September, 
he  annouced  his  determination  to  his  fellow  citizens,  and 
feeling  for  them  all  the  solicitude  of  a  father  for  his  children, 
he  published  at  the  same  time  a  farewell  address. 

68.  From  long  experience,  he  had  acquired  an  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  dangers  to  which  the  liberties  of  the 
republic  were  exposed.     These   he  deprecated,  and  warned 
his  countrymen  to  shun,  with  all  the  impressive  energy  of 
conviction,  and  all   the  ardor  of  parental   affection.     He  be 
sought  them,  especially,  to  frown  indignantly  upon  the  first 
dawning  of  any  attempt  at  a  sepa ration  of  the  union  ;  to 
discard  local  attachments  and  sectional  animosities ;  to  guard 
against  the  excessive  indulgence  of  the  spirit  of  party,  and 
against  cherishing  a  hatred  of  particular  nations,  and  an  af 
fection  for  others. 

69.  This  address  was  read  with  sentiments  of  profound 
veneration   in  every  part   of  the  union.     Some  of  the  state 
legislatures  directed  it  to  he  inserted  at  large  in  their  jour. 
rials,  and  most  of  th^rn  passed  resolutions  expressing  their 
respect  for  the  author,  their  high   sense  of  his  exalted  ser 
vices,   and  the  emotions  with  which  they  contemplated  his 
retirement  from  ofrice. 

70.  To  fill  the  station  from  which  the  father  of  his  coun 
try  liad  resolved   to  retire,   the  two  great   political  parties 
brought  forward  their  chiefs.     The  federalists,  desiring  that 
the  system  of  measures  adopted  by  Washington  should  con 
tinue  to  be  pursued,  and  dreading  the  influence  of  French 
sentiments  and  principles,  made  the  most  active  efforts  to 
elect  John  AcLtms.     The  republicans,  believing  their  oppo 
nents  less  friendly  than  themselves  to  the  maxims  of  liberty, 
and  too  much  devoted  to  the  British  nation  and  to  British  in 
stitutions,  made  equal  exertions  to  elect  Thomas  Jefferson. 

71.  The  result  was  the  choice  of  Mr.  Adams  to  be  presi 
dent,  and  Mr.  JeiTerson  to  be  vice-president.     Released  from 
public  c  ires,  Washington  hastened  to  Mount  Vernon.    Hav 
ing  established  his  fane  as  the  greatest  hero  and  most  distin 
guished  statesman  of  the  age,  he  there,  devoting  his  time  to 
the  cultivation  of  an  extensive  farm,  added  to  his  titles  of  re 
nown  that  of  the  most  industrious  and  intelligent  agricultu 
ralist  of  his  country 


237 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

MR.  ADAMS'S,  MR.  JEFFERSON'S,  AND  PART 
OF  MR.  MADISON'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

B  E  C  1^  A  K  A  T  1  O  N    OF   W  A  K  . 

MR.  ADAMS,  soon  after  the  commencement  of  his  presi 
dentiul  term,  received  from  Mr.  Pinkney  despatches  of  a 
most  disagreeable  and  alarming  nature.  The  directory,  then 
exercising  the  executive  authority  in  France,  had  refused  to 
accredit  him,  declaring  their  determination  not  to  receive 
another  minister  from  the  United  States,  until  they  had  fully 
complied  with  the  demands  which  had  been  mudo.  He  was 
moreover  ordered,  by  a  written  mandate,  to  quit  the  terri 
lories  of  the  republic. 

2.  Congress    were   immediately   convened,    and   the   de 
spatches   laid  before  them.     Their   proceedings  indicated  a 
love  of  peace,  but   also   a   firm   determination  to  yield  to  no 
unjust  demand.     Laws  were  passed  authorizing  the  president, 
whenever  he  should   deem   it  necessary,   to  detach   eighty 
thousand  men  from  the  militia  of  the  United  States,  provid 
ing  for  an  increase  of  the  navy,  and  for  augmenting  the  re- 
venue  of  the  nation.     To    display  to    France,  and    to  the 
world,    his  desire  of  peace,    and  to  leave  no   means    unat- 
tempted  to  preserve  it,  the  president  resolved  to  institute  an- 
other  and  more   solemn   mission.     General   Pinkney,  John 
Marshall,  and  Elbridge  Gerry,  were   accordingly  appointed 
envoys  to  the  French  republic,  and  were   instructed,  as  the 
first  had  before  been,  to   seek  a  reconciliation  as  the  repre 
sentatives  of  a  people  dreading  war  much,  but  the  sacrifice 
of  honor  more. 

3.  These   also  the  directory  refused  to   receive.      They 
were,  however,  addressed  by  persons  verbally  instructed,  by 
Talleyrand,  the  minister  of  foreign  relations,  to  make  them 
proposals.     In  explicit  terms,  these  unofficial  agents  demand 
ed  a  large  sum  of  money  before    any   negotiation  could  be 
opened.     To  thi«?  insulting  demand,  a  decided  negative  was 
given.     A   compliance  was,  nevertheless,  repeatedly  urged, 
until  at  length  the   envoys   refused  to   hold  with  them  any 
further  communication.     After  remaining  several  months  at 
Paris,  pressing  in  vain  to  be   received   and   heard,  two,  who 
were  federalists,  were  ordered  to  leave  France,  but  Mr.  Gerry, 
who  was  a  republican,  was  permitted  to  remain,  and  was  in- 


238  ADAMS'S  [1800. 

vited  singly  to  enter  into  discussions  relating  to  the   com- 
mencement  of  a  negotiation. 

4.  When  these  events  were  known   in  the  United  States, 
they  excited  general  indignation.     The   spirit  of  party  ap- 
poared  to  be  extinct.     "  Millions  for  defence,  not  a  cent  for 
tribute,"  resounded   from   every  quarter  of  the  union.     The 
treaty  of  alliance  with  France  was  declared   by  congress  to 
be  no  longer  in  force.     Authority  was   given  for  capturing 
armed  French  vess*  !s.     Provision  was  made  for  raising  im 
mediately  a  small  regular  army  ;  and,  in  case  events  should 
render  it  expedient,  for  augmenting   it.     A  direct  tax  and 
additional  internal  duties  were  laid. 

5.  To  command  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  president 
Adams,  with  the  unanimous  advice  of  the  senate,  appointed 
George  Washington.     He  consented,  but  with   great  reluc 
tance,  to  accept  the  office,  declaring,  however,  that  he  cor. 
dially  approved  the  measures  of  the  government. 

6.  No  opportunity  was  presented  of  testing  the  courage 
and   skill   of  the    American   troops.      At  sea,   a    desperate 
•lotion  was  fought   between  the  frigate  Constellation,  of  38 
fifuns,  commanded  by  commodore  Truxton,  and  the  French 
frig-;ito  L'Insurgcnte,  of  40  guns.     The   latter,  although    of 
superior  force,  was  captured.     The  same  intrepid  officer,  in 
a  subsequent  action,  compelled   another  French   frigate,  ot 
50  guns,  to  strike  her  colors;  but  she  afterwards  escaped  in 
the  night. 

7.  The  United  States,  in  arms  at  home  and  victorious  on 
the  ocean,  commanded  the   respect  of  their  enemy.     The 
directory  made  overtures  of  peace.     The  president  immedi 
ately  appointed   ministers,    who,  on   their  arrival    at   Paris, 
found  the  executive  authority  in  the  possession  of  Bonaparte 
as  first  consul.     They  were  promptly  accredited,  and  in  Sep 
tember.    1SOO,  a  treaty  was  concluded  satisfactory  to  both 
countries. 

8.  While  this    negotiation  was    in    progress,  the   whole 
American  people  were  overshadowed  with    gloom,  by  the 
sudden  death  of  the  FATHER  of  his   country.     On   the    14th 
of  December,  1799.  after  an  illness  of  one  day  only,  general 
Washington  expired.  Intelligence  of  this  event,,  as  it  rapidly 
spread,    produced   spontaneous,    deep,   and   unaffected  gri"f, 
suspending  every  oilier  thought, 'arid   absorbing  every   dif 
ferent  fxjolinjr. 

9.  Congress,  then  in  session  at  Philadelphia,  immediately 
adjourned.     On  assembling   the    next  day,  the  house  of  re 
presentatives  resolved,   "  that  the  speaker's  chair  should  be 


ADMINISTRATION.  233 

shrouded  in  black,  and  the  members  wear  black  during  the 
session  ;  and  that  a  joint  committee  should  bo  appointed  to 
devise  the  most  suitable  manner  of  p  -ying  honor  to  tho  mo. 
mory  of  the  MAN  first  in  war,  first  in  peace,  and  first  in  tha 
hearty  of  his  countrymen." 

10.  The  senate,  on  this  melancholy  occasion,  addressed  a 
letter  of  condolence  to  the  president  of  the  United  States. 
"  This  event,"  they  observe,  "  so  distressing  to  all  our  fellow 
citizens,  must  be  particularly  heavy  to  you,  who  have  long 
been  associated  with  him  in  deeds  of  patriotism.  Permit  us, 
sir,  to  mingle  our  tears  with  yours.  On  tbis  occasion  it  is 
manly  to  weep.  To  lose  such  a  man,  at  such  a  crisis,  is  no 
common,  calamity  to  the  world.  Our  country  mourns  a 
father.  The  Almighty  Disposer  of  human  events  has  takon 
from  us  our  greatest  benefactor  and  ornament.  It  becomes 
us  to  submit  with  reverence  to  HIM  who  maketh  darkness 
his  pavilion. 

1 1  "  With  patriotic  pride  we  review  the  life  of  our 
WASHINGTON,  and  compare  him  with  those  of  other 
countries  who  have  been  pre-eminent  in  fune.  Ancient  and 
modern  names  are  diminished  before  him.  Greatness  and 
guilt  have  too  often  been  allied  ;  but  his  fame  is  whiter  than 
it  is  brilliant.  The  destroyers  of  nations  stood  abashed  at 
the  majesty  of  his  virtues.  It  reproved  the  intempemnco  of 
their  ambition,  and  darkened  the  splendor  of  victory. 

12.  "  Such  was  the   man  whom  we  deplore.     Thanks  to 
God,  his  glory  is  consummated.     Washington  yet  lives  on 
earth  in  his  spotless  example — his  spirit  is  in  hoaven.     L  I 
his  countrymen  consecrate  the   memory  of  the  heroic  gent/. 
ra,l,  the  patriotic  statesman,  aiid  the  virtuous  s.ige  :  let  them 
teach  their  (Children  never  to  forget  that  the  fruits  of  his  l:w 
bors,  ,-uid  of  his  example,  fire  their  inker  Han  re. n 

13.  Agreeably  to   the  report   of  tho   committee,  and   the 
unanimous  resolves  of  congress,  a  fumral  procession  moved 
from  the  legislative  hall  to   the   Gorman    Lutheran   church, 
where  an  oration  was  delivered  by  general  Lee,  a  represent- 
alive  from  Virginia.     The  proco^-don  was  grand  und  solemn, 
the    oration     impressive    and    eloquent.       Throughout    the 
union  similar  marks  of  affliction  were  exhibited.     A  whole 
bereaved  people  appeared   in    mourning.     In   every  p:i.rt  of 
tho  republic,  funeral   orations  were   delivered,  and   the  best 
talents  of  the  nation  were  devoted  to   an  expression   of  tha 
nation's  gri.3f. 

14.  In  pursuance  of  .th<?    law  enacted  in   1790,  a  place 
had    been    selected    on    tho    Potomac,    a  few  mile«    abovs 


240  JEFFERSON'S  [1801, 

Mount  Yemen,  for  the  permanent  seat  of  the  national  go 
vernment.  Within  a  district  ten  miles  square,  which  was 
called  the  District  of  Columbia,  a  city  was  laid  out,  to 
which  the  name  of  Washington  was  appropriately  given. 
Public  buildings  having  been  erected,  the  officers  of  go. 
verrirnent  removed  to  that  place  in  1800,  and  in  November 
of  that  year,  congress,  for  the  first  time,  there  commenced 
its  session. 

15.  At  this  period,  a  presidential  election  again  recurred. 
From,  the   time   of  the   adoption   of  the    constitution,    the 
republican  party  had  been  gradually  increasing  in  numbers. 
The  two  parties  being  now  nearly  equal,  the   prospect  of 
success  inspired  both  with  uncommon  ardor.     The  federal 
ists  supported  Mr.  Adarns  and  general  Pinkney ;  the  repub 
licans,  Mr.  Jefferson  and  colonel   Burr.     The  two  latter  re 
ceived  a  small  majority  of  the  electoral  votes ;  and  as  they 
received  also  an  equal  number,  the  selection  of  one  of  them 
to  be  president  devolved  upon  the  house   of  representatives. 
After   thirty-live   trials,    during    which  the  nation  felt  in 
tense    solicitude,     Mr.    Jefferson    was     chosen.       Colonel 
Burr  received   the   votes    of   the    federalists,   and    lost,  in 
consequence,  the    confidence    of   his    former   friends.     By 
the  provisions  of  the   constitution,   he   became,   of  course, 
vice-prescient. 

16.  The  causes  which  rendered  Mr.   Adams  unpopular, 
and  led  to  a  change  in  the   administration,  were,  his  appa 
rent  coldness  towards  the   French   revolution  ;  the   charge 
that  the  federalists  generally  were  partial  to  Great  Britain; 
the  expenditure  of  money  for  building  a  navy,  and  for  other 
purposes  alleged  to  be  impolitic   or  useless ;  the  enactment 
of  the  alien  law,  by  which  the  president  was  authorized  to 
compel  suspected  foreigners  to  leave  the  country,  and  of  the 
sedition  law,  which  provided  that  the  authors  and  publishers 
of  false  and  malicious  accusations  against  the  president  and 
members  of  congress,   should  be   prosecuted  arid  punished. 
Eut  more  effectual   than   these,  was  the   charge  that   Mr. 
Adams,  and  the  party  which  supported  him,  entertained  po 
litical  opinions  less   favorable   to  liberty  than  those  of  the 
party  which  opposed  him.     By  deserting  a  man  so   distin 
guished  as  Mr.  Adams  for  his  talents,  for  his  experience  in 
political  affairs,  and  for  the  important  services  which  he  had 
rendered  to  his   country  in   the  revolutionary  struggle,  the 
people  showed  how  jealous  they  were  of  the  liberty  they  had 
obtained,  and  how  firmly  they  were   determined  to  guard  it 
from  even  possible  danger. 


1802.J  ADMINISTRATION.  241 

17.  The  control  of  the  government  being  now  fransfer 
red  to  the  republican  party,  they,  at  the  next  session  of  con- 
gress,  repealed,  after  a  long  and  eloquent   debate,  a  law  al 
tering  the  judicial  system,  which  had  been  passed    at  the 
close  of  Mr.  Adams's  administration.     This  repeal  annihi 
lated  the  offices  of  sixteen  judges,  who  had  just  been  ap 
pointed.     At  the  same  session,  the  internal  duties  were  also 
abolished. 

18.  A  second  census  of  the  people,  referring  to  1800,  was 
completed  in  1801.     They  amounted  to   5,319,765,  having 
in  ten  years  increased  nearly  one  million  four  hundred  thou 
sand.     In  the  same  number  of  years  the  exports  increased 
from  nineteen  to  ninety-four  millions,  and  the  revenue  from 
4,771,000  to  12,945,000  dollars  !     This  rapid  advance  in  the 
career  of  prosperity  has  no  parallel  in  the  history  of  nations, 
and  is  to  be  attributed  principally  to  the  institutions  of  the 
country,  which,    securing    equal    privileges    to  all,    give  to 
the  enterprise  and  industry  of  all  free  scope  arid  full  cncour 
agernerit. 

19.  In   1802,  the   state   of  Ohio  was   admitted   into  the 
union.     It  was  formerly  a  portion  of  the  Northwestern  Ter 
ritory,  for  the  government  of  which,  in  1787,  an  ordinance 
was  passed,  by  the  continental  congress.     With    commend 
able    foresight,  they  provided    that    slavery,  the  source  of 
weakness,  of  poverty,  and    of   crime,  should    never    exist 
in  that  extensive  and  fertile   region.     This  is  doubtless  one 
of  the  causes  of  the  unparalleled  rapidity  of  its  population. 
In  thirty  years  from  its   first  settlement,  the   number  of  its 
inhabitants  exceeded  half  a  million.     The  state  of  Tennes 
see,  which  was  previously  a  part  of  North  Carolina,  and  lies 
between  that  state  arid  the  river  Mississippi,  was  admitted 
in  1796. 

20.  The  right  of  deposit  at  New  Orleans,  conceded  to 
the  citizens  of  the   United   States   by  Spain,  and  necessary 
to  the  people  of  the  western  country,   had,  until   this   pe 
riod,  been  freely  enjoyed.     In  October,  the   chief  officer  of 
that  city  prohibited  the  exercise  of  it  in  future.     This   vio 
lation  of  a  solemn   engagement  produced,  throughout  the 
states  of  Ohio  and   Kentucky,  indignant  clamor  and   vio 
lent  commotion.     In   congress,  a  proposition   was  made  to 
take  possession,  by  force,  of  the   whole  province  of  Louisi 
ana,  and  the  injured  people  of  the  west  were  eager  for  per 
mission  to  avenge  their  wrongs,  and  to  regain  their  rights, 
by  the  sword. 

21.  A   more    pacific    course    was    adopted.      Knowing 

21 


242'  JEFFERSON'S  [1804- 

that  the  province  had  been  ceded,  although  not  tranferred, 
to  France,  the  president  instituted  a  negotiation  to  acquire 
it  by  purchase.  In  April  1803,  a  treaty  was  concluded, 
conveying  it  to  the  United  States  for  fifteen  millions  of 
dollftrg. 

22.  The  territory  thus  adchd  to  the  national  domain,  w*v» 
first  discovered  by  the   French,  who,  in   1699,  began   a  set 
tlement  within   its  limits.     It   continued   a   colony   of  that 
nation  until  1762,  when  it  was  ceded  to  Spain.     In  her  pos 
session  it  remained,    slowly   increasing-  in   population,  until 
October,  1800,  when  it  was   retroceded   to  France,   and   by 
her  was  afterwards,  as  has   been  related,  transferred  to  the 
United   States.      The    inhabitants,    a   mixture    of    French 
and  Spaniards,  were   not   numerous.     Its   boundaries  have- 
never  been   defined.      They  embrace,  at    a    moderate  esti 
mation,  a  territory  more   extensive   than   some  of  the  most 
powerful  European   kingdoms,  and  in  many  parts   the  soil 
is  exceedingly  fertile.     Its   acquisition   was   considered,  by 
the  United  States,  of  the  greatest  importance,  ns  it  gave  them 
the  entire  control  of  a  river,  which  is  one  of  the  noblest  in 
the  world. 

23.  Since  the  year  1801,  war  had  existed  between  the 
United   States   and   Tripoli,    one   of  the  states  of  Barbary, 
situated  on  the  coast    of  the    Mediterranean .     No  memo 
rable   event  occurred  until   1803,   when    a  large  squadron, 
under  the  command  of  commodore  Preble,  was  despatched 
into  that  sea.      On  arriving  before  Tripoli,  captain  Bain* 
bridge,   in   the  frigate  Philadelphia,  of  44  guns,  was  sent 
into  the  harbor  to  reconnoitre.     While  in  eager  pursuit  of 
a  small  vessel,  he  unfortunately  advanced  so  far  that  the 
frigate  grounded,  and  all  attempts  to  remove  her  were  in  vain. 
The  sea  around  her  was  immediately  covered  with  Tripoli, 
tan  gun-boats,  and  captain  B;i.inbridge  was  compelled  to  sur 
render.     The  officers  were  considered   as  prisoners  of  war ; 
but  the  crew,   according  to  the   custom   of  Barbary,   were 
tieated  as  slaves4 

24.  At  the   capture  of   this  frigate,  the  enemy  rejoiced 
and  exulted  beyond  measure.     Lieutenant    Stephen   Deca- 
tur  conceived  the  design    of   retaking    or  'destroying  her,. 
Commodore  Preble,  applauding  the  spirit  of   the  youthful 
hero,  granted   him  permission  to    make    the    attempt.  ,  In 
February,    1804,    ho     nailed    from    Syracuse     in     a    small 
schooner,  having  on   board    but    seventy-six    men,  entered 
undiscovered  the  harbor  of  Tripoli,  and,  advancing  boldly r 
took  a  station   alongside  the  frigate.     Perceiving  the  crew 


1805  ]  ADMINISTRATION.  243 

in  consternation,  Decatur  sprang  on  board;  his  men  fol 
lowed,  and  with  drawn  swords  rushed  upon  the  enemy.  The 
clocks  were  soon  cleared,  some  being  killed,  and  others  driven 
into  the  sea. 

25.  A  heavy  cannonade  upon  the  frigate,  from  the  batte 
ries  on  shore  and  the   corsairs  near,  was  now  commenced, 
and  several  vessels  of  war  were  seen  approaching.     She  was 
set  on  fire  arid   abandoned,  none   of  the  party  being  killed, 
and  but  four  wounded.     Throughout  all  the  piratical  states, 
this  brilliant  exploit  exalted  the  reputation  of  the  American 
uraus.     The  president,  in  reward  of  his  address  and  bravery, 
promoted  lieutenant  Decatur  to  the  rank  of  post-captain  in 
the  navy. 

26.  While  the   squadron   remained  before   Tripoli,  other 
deeds  of  heroism  were  perforated,  evincing  a  love   of  fame 
and  devotion  to  country  unsurpassed  in   Grecian   or  Roman 
story.     The  events  and  operations  of  this  war  shed  a  lustre 
upon  the  American  name,  gave  experience  and  character  to 
the  officers,  and  prepared  them  to  acquire  greater  glory  in  a 
conquest  with  a  nobler  foe.     They  were  equalled,  however, 
by  an  enterprise  on  land,  bold   and   romantic   in  its  concep 
tion,  and  exhibiting,  in  its  execution,  uncommon  address  and 
decision  of  character. 

27.  William  Eaton,  who  had  been  a  captain  in  the  Ame 
rican  army,  was,  at  the  commencement  of  this  war,  consul 
at  Tunis.     He  there  became  acquainted  with  Hamet  Cara- 
manly,   whom   a   younger  brother   had   excluded    from   the 
throne  of  Tripoli.     With   him  he   concerted  an  expedition 
against  the   reigning   sovereign,  and  returned  to  the  United 
States  to  obtain  permission  and  the   means  1o  undertake  it. 
Permission  was  granted,  the  co-operation  of  the  squadron  re 
commended,  and  such  pecuniary  assistance  as  could  be  spared 
was  afforded. 

28.  To  raise  an  army  in  Egypt,  and  lead   it  to  attack  the 
usurper    in    his    dominions,    was    the    project    which    had 
been  concerted.      In    the    beginning  of   1805,   Eaton  met 
Hamet  at  Alexandria,    and   was   appointed   general  of  his 
forces.     On  the  6th  of  March,  at  the  head  of  a  respecta 
ble  body  of  mounted  Arabs,  and  about  seventy  Christians, 
he  set  out  for  Tripoli.     His  route  lay  across   a  desert,  one 
thousand  miles  in  extent.     On   his  march   he  encountered 
peril,     fatigue,    and    suffering,    the    description    of   which 
would  resemble    the    exaggerations    of  romance.     On    the 
25th  of  April,  having   been   fifty  days    on    the   march,  he 
arrived  before  Derne,  a  Tripolitan  city  on  the  Mediterra- 


244  JEFFERSON'S  [1806. 

nean,  and  found  in  the  harbor  a  part  of  xhe  American  squad 
ron,  destined  to  assist  him.  He  learnt  also  that  the  usur 
per,  having  received  notice  of  his  approach,  had  raised  a 
considerable  army,  and  was  then  within  a  day's  march  ol 
the  city. 

29.  No  time  was  therefore  to  be   lost.     The  next  morn 
ing  he  summoned  the   governor  to  surrender,  who  returned 
for  answer,  "  My  head  or  yours."     The  city  was  assaulted, 
and  after  a    contest  of  two  hours   and  a  half,  possession 
gained.     The  Christians  suffered  severely,  and  the  general 
was   slightly  wounded.     Great  exertions  were   immediately 
made   to  fortify  the  city.     On   the  8th   of  May,  it  was  at 
tacked  by  the  Tripolitan  army.     Although   ten   times  more 
numerous    than    Eaton's  band,    the    assailants,    after   per 
sisting   four  hours  in  the  attempt,  were   compelled  to  re 
tire.     On  the   10th   of  June   another  battle  was  fought,  in 
which  the  enemy  were  defeated.     The  next  day  the  Ame 
rican  frigate  Constitution  arrived  in  the   harbor,  which  so 
terrified  the  Tripolitans  that  they  fled  precipitately  to  the 
desort. 

30.  The  frigate  came,  however,  to  arrest  the  operations  of 
Eaton,  in  the  midst  of  his  brilliant  and   successful  career. 
Alarmed  at  his  progress,  the   reigning  bashaw  had  offered 
terms  of  peace,  which,  being  much  more  favorable  than  had 
before  been  offered,  were  accepted  by  Mr.  Lear,  the  author 
i/od  agent  of  the  government.     Sixty  thousand  dollars  were 
given  as  a  ransom  for  the  unfortunate  American   prisoners, 
and  an  engagement  was  made  to  withdraw  all  support  from 
Hamet.     The  nation,  proud  of  tiie  exploits  of  Eaton,  regret 
ted  this  diplomatic  interference,  but   the   treaty  was  ratified 
by  the  president  and  seriate  ;  and  thus  ended  the  war  in  the 
Mediterranean. 

31.  Colonel  Burr,  having  lost  the  confidence  of  the  repub 
lican  party,  became,  in    180-i,   a   candidate   for  the  office  of 
governor  of  New  York  :  the  federalists  generally  gave  him 
their  votes,  but  Mr.  Hamilton,  considering  him  an  unprinci 
pled   politician,   openly  opposed   his   election.     The  choice 
fell  upon  the  rival  candidate.     A.  duel  ensued  between  these 
distinguished   individuals,   the   challenge    proceeding    from 
Burr.     Hamilton  was  mortally  wounded.     This  event  pro- 
duced  a  strong  and  livoly  sensation   throughout  the   union. 
At  the   next,   presidential   election,   which  occurred   in   the 
same  year,  Mr.  Jefferson  was  elected  president,  and  George 
Clinton  of  New  York,  vice-president,  the  former  receiving 
all  but  fourteen  votes. 


1807.]  ADMINISTRATION.  245 

32.  Burr,    notwithstanding    his    brilliant    talents,    now 
sunk,  for  a  time,  into  merited  obscurity.     His  future  con 
duct   showed,  however,  that,   while  unobserved  by  his   fel 
low  citizens,  he  had  not  been  idle.     In  the  autumn  of  1806, 
his  movements  in  the  western  country  attracted  the  notice 
of  government.     He  had  purchased  and  was  building   boats 
on    the    Ohio,    and    engaging    men    to  descend  that  river. 
His  declared    purpose    was    to    form    a    settlement  on  the 
banks  of  the  Washita,  in  Louisiana ;  but  the  character  of 
the  man,  the  nature  of  his  preparations,  and   the  incautious 
disclosures  of  his  associates,  led  to  the  suspicion  that  his 
true  object  was  either  to  gain  possession  of  New  Orleans, 
and  erect  into  a  separate  government  the  country  watered  bv 
the  Mississippi  and  its  branches,  or  to  invade,  from  the  ter. 
ntories  of  the  United   States,  the  rich  Spanish   province  ot 
Mexico. 

33.  From  the   first  moment  of  suspicion,  he  was  closely 
watched  by  the   agents  of  the   government.     At  Natchez, 
while  on  his  way  to  New   Orleans,  he  was   cited  to  appeal 
before  the  supreme  ctourt  of  the   Mississippi  territory.     But 
he  had  so  enveloped  his   projects   in  secrecy,  that  sufficient 
evidence  to  convict  him  could   not  be  produced,  and  he  wafa 
discharged.     Hearing,    however,  that   several   persons,  sus 
pected  of  being  his  accomplices,  had  been  arrested  at  New 
Orleans,  and  elsewhere,' he  fled  in  diguise  from  Natchez,  wab 
apprehended  on  the  Tombigbee,  and  conveyed  a  prisoner  to 
Richmond.     Two  indictments  were  found  against  him,  one 
charging  him  with   treason   against  the  United  States,  the 
other  with  preparing  and  commencing  an  expedition  against 
the  dominions  of  Spain. 

34.  In   August,   1807,  he  was  tried,  upon  those   indict 
ments,  before  John  Marshall,  the  chief  justice  of  the  United 
States.     Full  evidence  of  his  guilt  not  being  exhibited,  he 
was  acquitted  by  the  jury.     The  people,  however,  believed 
him  guilty ;  and  by  their  desertion  and  contempt,  he  was  re 
duced  to  a  condition  of  the  most  abject  wretchedness.     The 
ease  with  which  his  plans  were   defeated,  demonstrated  the 
strength  of  the  government,  and  his  fate  will  ever  be  an  im 
pressive  warning  to  those  who,  in   a  free   country,  listen  to 
the  suggestions  of  criminal  ambition. 

35.  The  wars  produced  by  the  French  revolution  contin 
ued  to  rage  in  Europe.     The   attempts,  made  by  the   neigh 
boring   kings,  to  compel   republican   France   to  resume  her 
jBonarchical  institutions,  had  not  only  been  resisted  and  de 
feated  by  her  indignant  citizens,  but  they  had  followed  homo 


646  JEFFERSON'S  [1807. 

the  repelled  invaders  of  their  country,  and  had  subdued  those 
who  began  the  war  with  the  hope  and  purpose  of  subduing 
France.  Tiie  nation  had  necessarily  become  a  nation  ot* 
soldiers,  and  one,  more  daring  and  fortunate  than  the  others, 
had  been  placed  at  their  head  as  chief  of  the  republic.  By 
his  extraordinary  talents,  and  the  vast  means  subjected  to 
his  single  will,  he  acquired  control  over  most  of  the  Euro, 
pcan  kingdoms. 

36.  England,  however,  unsubdued  and  undaunted,  had  be- 
come  as  pre-eminent  on   the  water   as    France   on  the  land. 
Her   powerful  navy  expelled  every   hostile   navy   from   the 
jcean,  and  rode  triumphant  in  every  sea.     America  profited 
from  the  destruction  of  the  ships  and  commerce  of  other  na 
tions.     BMng  neutral,  her  vessuls  c  irried  from   port  to  port 
the  productions  of  France  and  her  dependent  kingdoms  ;  and 
also  to  the  ports  of  those  kingdoms  the  manufactures  of  Eng 
land.     Few  ships  were  found  on  the   ocean  except  those  of 
the  United  States  and  Great  Britain. 

37.  The    latter,    having   always   found   it   impossible    to 
man  her  numerous    fleets  by    voluntary    enlistments,    had 
been  accustomed  to  resort  to    impressment,  or    seizing  by 
force  her  subjects,  and  compelling  them  to  serve,  as  sailors 
on  board  her  ships  of  war.     Soon   after  the  peace  of  1783, 
she  claimed  a  right  to  search   for  and   seize  them,  even  on 
boird   of  neutral  vessels  while   traversing  the  ocean.      In 
the  exercise  of  this  pretended  right,  citizens  of  the  United 
States,    sometimes  by   mistake    and   sometimes  by  design, 
were  seized,  dragged  from  their  friends,  transported  to  distant 
parts   of  the   world,    compelled   to    perform    the    degrading 
duty  of  British  sailors,  and   to  fight  with   nations   at  peace 
with  their  own.     Against  this  outrage  upon  personal  liberty, 
and  the  rights  of  American   citizens,  Washington,  Adams, 
and  Jefferson  had  remonstrated  in  vain.     The  abuse  contin 
ued,  and  every  year  added  to  its  enormity,  until  a  feeling  of 
resentment  was  aroused  worthy  the  best  period  of  the  Roman 
republic. 

38.  But  not  in  this  mode  only  were  the  rights    of  the 
United  States  invaded  and  their  interests  sacrificed  on  the 
ocean.     The  carrying  trade  afforded  a  harvest  too  rich,  and 
too  tempting  to  British  cupidity,  to  be  long  enjoyed  unmo 
lested.     American   ships,   carrying  to  Europe  the  produce 
of   French  colonies,  were,   in    an    early  stage  of  the  war, 
captured    by    British    cruisers,    and     condemned    by    their 
courts   as  lawful    prizes.     Several    European    ports,  under 
the  control  of  France,  were  declared,  by  British  orders  in 


1807.1  ADMINISTRATION.  247 

council,  dated  in  May,  1806,  to  be  in  a  state  of  blockade,  al 
though  not  invested  with  a  British  fleet,  and  American  ves 
sels,  attempting  to  enter  those  ports,  were  also  captured  and 
condemned. 

39.  France  and  her  allies  suffered,  as  well  as  the  United 
States,  from  these  transgressions  of  the  laws  of  nations.   Her 
vengeance  fell,  not  so  much  upon  the  belligerent  inflicting 
the  injury,  as  upon  the  neutral  enduring  without  resenting 
and  repelling  it.     By  a  decree,  issued  at  Berlin,  in  Novem 
ber,  1806,  the  French  emperor  declared   the   British  islands 
in  a  state   of  blockade,  and  of  course   authorized  the   cap 
ture  of  all   neutral  vessels  attempting  to  trade  with  those 
islands.     From  these  measures   of  both  nations,  the  com 
merce  of  the  United  States  severely  suffered,  and  their  mer 
chants  loudly  demanded  of  the  government  redress  and  pro. 
tection. 

40.  In  June,  1807.  an  event   occurred,  which  for  a  time 
concentrated  upon  one  of  the  rival  nations  the  whole  weight 
of  popular    indignation.      The    frigate   Chesapeake,   while 
near  the  coast  of  the   United    Slates,   and   unsuspicious  of 
danger,  was  fired  upon  from    the  Leopard,  a  British  ship  of 
superior  force  ;  three  of  her  men  were   killed  and  eighteen 
wonnded.     Being  unprepared  for  action,  she  struck  her  co 
lors,  was  then  boarded  by  a  detachment   from  the  Loopard, 
her   crew   mustered,    and   four   of  them  forcibly  carried  off, 
upon  the  pretence   that  they  were   British   deserters.     The 
truth,  upon  investigation,  was  ascertained   to  be,  that  throe 
•of  them  were  citizens  of  the  United  States,   had  been  im 
pressed  by  the  British,  and  had  afterwards  escaped  from  their 
service. 

41.  This  insolent  attack  upon  a  national  ship, — this  wan 
ton  exercise    of  a   claim    derogatory  to    national    honor, — • 
aroused  the  spirit  of  the  republic.     The  distinctions  of  party 
were  forgotten,  numerous  meetings  of  the  citizens  were  held, 
and  all  concurred  in  the   expression   of  a   determination  to 
support  the  government  of  their  country  in  its  efforts  to  ob 
tain,  whether  by  negotiation  or  vvnr,  satisfaction  for  this  in. 
suiting  outrage. 

42.  The  president,  by  proclamation,  prohibited  all  British 
ships  of  war  from  continuing  in   or  entering   the  harbors  of 
the  United  States.     He  sent  instructions  to  the  minister  at 
London  to  demand  satisfaction    for  the  insult,  and  security 
against,  future  aggression.     He  summoned  congress  to  meet 
and  decide  what   further  efforts  should  be  adopted.     The 
British  government  promptly  disavowing  the  act  of  its  offi. 


248  JEFFERSON'S  [1808. 

cer,  the  hostile  feelings  which  had  been  exalted,  began  to 
subside ;  but  delaying  to  render  satisfaction,  and  refusing  to 
adopt,  adequate  measures  to  prevent  a  continuance  of  aggres 
sion,  they  were  not  extinguished  nor  appeased. 

43,  Bonaparte   having  declared  his  purpose  of  enforcing 
with  rigor  the  Berlin  decree  ;  the  British  government  huv- 
ing  solemnly  asserted  the  right  of  search  and  impressment, 
and  having  intimated  their   intention  to  adopt  measures  in 
retaliation  of  the  French  decree,  the  president  recommend- 
ed  to  congress  that,    the    seamen,  ships,  and    merchandise 
of  the  United  States  should  be  detained  in  port  to  preserve 
them  from  the    dangers    which    threatened    them    on    the 
ocean.     A  law  laying  an   indefinite   embargo  was  in  conse 
quence  enacted.     'A   hope   to  coerce  the  belligerent  powers 
to  return  to  the    observance    of   the    laws  of   nations,  by 
depriving  thorn  of  the  benefits    derived  from  the    trade  of 
Aruorica,.  was  doubtless  a  concurring  motive  for  passing  the 
law. 

44.  A  few  days  only  had  elapsed,  when  information  was 
received,  that  Great  Britain  had  prohibited  neutrals,  except 
upon  the  degrading  condition  of  paying  a  tax  or  tribute  to 
her,   from  trading  \vilh    Franco    or    her  allies,  comprising 
nearly  every  maritime  nation    in    Europe.     This  was   fol 
lowed,  in  a  few  weeks,   by  a  decree  issued  by   Bonaparte, 
at* Milan,  declaring  that  every  neutral  vessel,  which  should 
submit  to  be  visited  by  a  British  ship,  or  to  pay  the   tribute 
demanded,  should  be  confiscated,  if  afterwards  found  in   his 
ports,  or  taken  by  his  cruisers.     Thus,  at  the  date  of  the 
embargo,  were   orders   a^id  decrees  in   existence   rendering 
lia'ble  to  capture  almost  every  American  vessel  sailing  on  the 
ocean. 

4^>.  In  the  New  England  states,  the  embargo,  with  hold, 
ing  th.e  merchant  from  a  career  in  which  L$  had  been  highly 
prosperous,  and  in  which  he  imagined  that  lie  might  still  be 
favored  of  fortune,  occasioned  discontent  and  clamor.  The 
federalists,  more  numerous  there  than  in  any  other  part  of 
the /union.,  pronounced  it  a  measure  unwise  and  oppressive. 
These  representations,  and  the  real  and  severe  distress 
which  the  people  endured,  produced  a  rapid  change  in 
their  political  opinions.  In  a  short  time  a  majority  became 
federalists,  and  opposed  with  zeal  all  the  measures  of  the 
government. 

46.  In  the  fall  of  1808,  a  new  election  of  chief  magistrate 
took  place.  Mr.  Jefferson,  believing  that  no  person  should 
hold  that  office  more  than  eight  years,  and  desirous  qf 


1808.]  ADMINISTRATION.  249 

confirming  the  example  of  Washington,  had  previously  an- 
nounced  his  intention  to  retire  to  private  life.  James 
Madison  was  elected  president  and  George  Clinton  vice- 
president. 

47.  In   March,  1809,  congress  repealed  the  embargo,  and 
substituted  a  law  prohibiting  all  intercourse  with  France  and 
Great  Britain.     Bonaparte,  in  retaliation,  issued  a  decree,  at 
Rambouillet,  directing  that  all  American  vessels,  which  were 
then   in   the   ports   of  France,   or  might  afterwards  enter, 
should  be  seized  and  confiscated. 

48.  In  the  non-intercourse   law,  a  provision  was  inserted, 
that  if  either  nation  should  revoke  her  hostile  edicts,  and  the 
president  should   announce  that  fact   by  proclamation,  then 
the  law  should  cease  to  be  in  force  in  regard  to  the  nation 
so  revolting.     In   April,   Mr.  Efskine,  the   British  minister 
at   Washington,   engaged,  on  the   part  of  his  government, 
that  the  orders  in  council,  so  far  as  they  affected  the  United 
States,  should  be  withdrawn  on  the  10th  of  June  ;  and  the 
president  immediately  issued  the  proclamation  prescribed  in 
the  law. 

49.  This  arrangement  the   British  ministry  refused  to  ra 
tify,  declaring   that  Mr.  Erskine.  had   no  authority  to  make 
it.     Recalling  him,   they   appointed   Mr.  Jackson   his  sue- 
eessor.     In   a  correspondence   between  this  gentleman  and 
the  secretary  of  state,  the  former  insinuated  that  the  Ameri 
can  government  knew  that  Mr.  Erskine  was  not  authorized 
to  make  the  arrangement,  and  knew  of  course  that  it  would 
not   be    binding  on   Great    Britain.     This  insinuation  was 
distinctly   denied    by   the    secretary,  but  was   subsequently 
repeated,   in    an   offensive    manner,   by   Mr.  Jackson.     He 
was  immediately  informed,  that,  on  account  of  his  indeco 
rous  conduct,  no  other  communications  from  him  would  be 
received.     He   was  shortly  afterwards  recalled  by  his  go- 
vernrnont. 

50.  The  non-intercourse  law  expired  in  May,  1810,  when 
a  proposition  was  made  equally  to  both  belligerents,  that  if 
either  would  revoke  its  hostile  edicts,  that  law  should  be  re 
vived  and   enforced   against   the  other.     In   August,  Bona 
jKirte,  by  his  minister  of  state,  assured    Mr.  Armstrong,  the 
American  envoy  to  France,  that  the   Borlin  and   Milan  de 
crees  were  revoked,  the  revocation  to  take  effect  on  the  first 
day  of  November  ensuing.     Confiding  in  this  assurance,  the 
president,  on  the  second  day  of  November,  issued  his  procla 
mation,  declaring  that   all    intercourse   with    Great    Britain 
was   prohibited,   and  that   an  unrestrained   commerce  with 
France  was  allowed. 


250  MADISON'S  [1811. 

51.  Great  Britain  having1  expressed  a  willingness  to  repeal 
her  orders  whenever  France  should  repeal  her  decrees,  she 
was  now  called  upon,  hy  the  American  envoy,  to  fulfil  her 
ei'gageinent.  She  objected,  that  the  French  decrees  could 
not  bo  considered  as  repealed,  a  letter  from  the  minister  of 
state  not  being,  for  that  purpose,  a  document  of  sufficient 
authority.  In  answer  to  this  objection,  proof  was  presented 
that  the  French  admiralty-  courts  considered  them  repealed , 
and  that  no  American  vessel,  although  many  had  cntcrei 
the  ports  of  France,  had  been  subjected  to  their  provi 
sions.  Great  Britain,  however,  still  persisted  to  enforce  hei 
aiders. 

5'2.  For  tliis  purpose,  she  had  stationed  ships  of  war 
be  for  3  the  principal  harbors  of  the  United  Slates.  All 
American  merchantmen,  departing  or  returning,  were 
boarded,  searched,  and  many  of  them  sent  to  British  ports, 
us  legal  prizes.  Impressments  too  were  frequent,  and  the 
British  officers,  entertaining  exalted  ideas  of  their  naval 
gtrftng"th>  and  holding  in  contempt  the  republican  flag, 
exhibited,  on  all  occasions,  an  extreme  insolence  of  be- 
liavior,  which  nations  as  well  as  individuals  expose  them- 
selves  to  incur,  by  long  and  patient  endurance  of  insult  and 
aggression. 

53.  In  one    instance,  however,   their  insolence   was  de 
servedly  punished.     Commodore  Rogers,  silling  in  the  fri 
gate    President,  met,  in   the  evening,  a  vessel  on  the  coast 
of  Virginia.     He   bailed,   but  instead   of  receiving   an   an 
swer,  was  hailed   in  turn,  and  a  shot  was  fired  which  struck 
tho  mainmast    of  the    President.     The   fire   was    instantly 
returned    by   the    commodore,    and    continued    for    a    few 
mimitcs,  when,  finding  his  antagonist  was  of  inferior  force, 
and   that   her  guns  wore  almost   silenced,  he  desisted.     On 
Iniling  again,  an  an-swer  was  given,  that  the  ship  wns  the 
British  sloop  of  war  Little  Bolt,  of  18  guns.     Thirty-two  of 
her  mon-  were  killed  and  wounded,  and  the  ship  was  much 
disabled. 

54.  Mr.    Foster,  successor  to    Mr.    Jackson,    arrived   at 
Washington  in  the  summer  of  1811,  and  proposed  terms  of 
reparation   for  the  attack  on  the  Chesapeake.     These  w«re 
a  formal  disavowal  of  the  act,  restoration  to  the  frigate  of 
the  surviving  sailors  taken  from   it,  a  pecuniary  provision 
for  those  who  were  wounded,  and  for  the  families  of  tho.se 
who  were  killed.     These  terms  -were  accepted  by  the  pre 
sident. 

55.  But  the  British  envoy  could  give  no  assurance  thai 


181  L]  ADMlNIS  rRATlON.  251 

his  government  was  disposed  to  mnke  a  satisfactory  arrange, 
merit  of  the  subject  of  impressment,  or  to  repeal  the  orders 
in  council.  These  orders,  on  the  contrary,  continued  to 
be  enforced  with  rigor  ;  and  on  the  restoration  of  a  free 
commerca  with  Franco,  a  large  number  of  American  ves 
sels,  laden  with  rich  cargoes,  and  destined  to  her  ports,  fell 
Into  the  power  of  British  cruisers.  Such  was  now  the  state 
of  affairs,  that  the  United  States  suffered  the  evils  of  war, 
while  Great  Britain  enjoyed  the  advantages.  Her  cruis. 
ers,  since  1803,  had  captured  nine  hundred  American 
vessels. 

56.  The  patience  of  the  nation  was  exhausted.     President 
Madison,  early  in  November,  1811,  called  congress  together, 
laid  before  them  the  'state  of  foreign  relations,  and   recom 
mended  that  the  republic  should  be  placed  in  an  attitude  to 
maintain,  by  force,  its  wounded  honor  and  essential  interests, 
The  representatives  of  the   people,  whose  sentiments  and 
feelings   they  expressed,  determined  to  act  in   accordance 
with  tlic  views  of  the  president. 

57.  Laws  were  enacted  providing  for  the  increase  of  the 
regular  army  to  35,000  men  ;  for  the  augmentation  of  the 
naval  establishment ;  empowering  the  president  to  accept  of 
the  services  of  volunteers,  to  make  a  detachment  from  the 
militia,  and  to  borrow  eleven  millions  of  dollars.     It  was  the 
expectation  of  many  that  Great   Britain,  witnessing  these 
serious  preparations,  would  recede  from  the  stand  she  had 
taken. 

58.  Event?,  however,  occurred,  while  congress  were  '•  L 
session,    which    considerably   diminished    this   expectat'    i 
For  several  years,  the  Indian  tribes  residing  near  tho  re. 
mote    lakes  and    the   sources   of  the   Mississippi,  had   dip- 
played    symptoms    of    hostility,    murdering    a    number    of 
whites  arid  robbing   others  of  their  property.     In  the  fall 
of   1311,   general  Harrison,   with  a  small  force,   was  sent 
into  their  territories,  instructed  to  negotiate  if  possible,  but 
to   fight  if  necessary.     On  the   Gth   of  November,   he  ar. 
rived   at  Tippecanoe,  their  principal   town,  where  he  was 
met  by  Indian  messengers,  with  whom  an  agreement  was 
made,  that  hostilities  should  not  take  place  before  the  next 
morninf,  and  that  then  an  amicable  conference  should  be 
LeM. 

59.  Just    before  daybreak,   the   savages,   in  violation  of 
th-ir  engagement,  mad3  a  sudden  and  furious  attack  upon 
the    troops    in    their  encampment.     Nothing   but    tlie  pre 
caution  of  sleeping  in  order  of  battle,  an  their  arms,  saved 


252  MADISON'S  [1812. 

them  from  total  defeat.  A  dreadful  slaughter  was  made  ; 
but  the  savages  were  finally  repulsed,  dispersed,  and  their 
town  laid  waste.  A  strong  belief  was  entertained,  founded 
upon  credible  testimony,  that  they  had  been  incited  %to  hos 
tility  by  British  agents  stationed  among  them. 

60.  In   February,  18152,  John   Henry,  who  had  once  re 
sided   in  Canada,  communicated  to  the  president  the  fact, 

^that  in  180.9,  he  had  been  employed  by  the  governor  of  that 
province,  upon  a  secret  mission  to-  Boston,  the  metropolis 
of  the  New  England  states  ;  and  that  he  was  instructed  to 
confer  with  the  disaffected,  upon  the  subject  of  a  separation 
of  those  states  from  the  union,  and  their  forming  a  political 
connection  with  Great  Britain.  He  exhibited  documents 
in  support  of  his  disclosures,  which  he  was  led  to  make, 
by  the  neglect  of  his  employer  to  reward  him  for  his  ser 
vices.  It.  did  not  appear  that  he  had  succeeded  in  corrupt 
ing  the  fidelity  of  any  individual  ;  but  the  attempt,  in  a  time 
of  peace,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  most  amicable  professions, 
not  only  preserved  in  full  force  but  increased  the  previous 
irritation. 

61.  Congress  continued  to  be  employed  until  the  20th  ot 
May,  in  making  preparations  for  war,  still  cherishing  the 
hope  that  a  change  of  policy  in  Europe  would  render  unne 
cessary  an  appeal  to  arms.    On  that  day,  the  Hornet  arrived 
from  London,  bringing  information  that  no  prospect  existed 
of  a  favorable  change.     On  the  first  of  June,  the  president 
sent  a  message  to  congress,  recounting  the  wrongs  received 
from    Great   Britain,  and   submitting  the  question  whether 
the  United  States  should  continue-  to.  endure  them  or  resort, 
to  war. 

62.  The  message  was  considered  with  closed  doors.     On 
the  18th,  an   act  was   passed   declaring  war  against   Great 
Britain.     The  measure  was  decidedly  condemned  by  a  con 
siderable  portion  of  the  citizens,  among  whom  were  many 
honest  and  able  men.     Exercising  the  undoubted  privilege- 
of  freemen,  they  examined,  with  the  severest  scrutiny,  the 
measures  and  motives  of  the  administration.     They  asserted 
that  the  war  was  unnecessary,  partial,  and  unwise  ;  that  it 
was  unnecessary,  because,   in   their  opinion,  a  satisfactory 
adjustment  of  all  disputes  might  have  been  obtained  by  fur 
ther  negotiation  ;  that  it  was  partial,  because  France  hc.d 
given   greater  provocation,  in   proportion   to  her  means  of 
annoyance,  than  Great  Britain  ;  that  it  was  unwise,  because 
the  nation  was  not  prepared   for  wart  because,  by  declaring 
it  against  almost  the  only  remaining  enemy  of  France,  the 


1812.]  ADMINISTRATION.  253 

United  States  indirectly  but  powerfully  assisted   Bonapaitc 
in  his  design  of  unirorsal  conquest ;  and  because  the  ex 
penses  and  sufferings  it   must  unavoidably  occasion,  would 
more  than  counterbalance  all  the  advant;  g  >s  sought  to  !>e 
obtained.     And  many,  passing  the  limits  of  candid  arid  tern 
perate  discussion,  indulged   in   a  virulence  of  invective  of 
which  no  government  should  be  the  object  that  is  not  mani 
festly  corrupt. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1812. 

TFIE  poople  of  the  United  States  remembered,  with  pride, 
the  patriotism  and  bravery  exhibited  by  their  army  in  the 
revolutionary  war.  A  long-  period  of  peace  and  prosperity 
had  increased  their  confidence  in  their  own  strength  ;  and 
the  belief  was  gonerally  entertained,  that  victory  over  the 
same  foe;  would  now  be  so  much  the  more  certainly  and 
easily  trained,  as  tho  nation  was  more  rich  and  populous. 
They  did  not  reflect,  that  jr-;ice  had  impaired  the  military 
energies  of  tho  republic,  white  their  enemy,  by  constant  ex 
ercise  in  arm;--,  hid  acquired,  not  only  additional  strength, 
but  grsnter  skill  to  use  and  apply  it. 

2.  From  the  voterai  ofiicprs,  who  had  acquired  fame  in 
the  former  conflict,  a  selection  was  made  to  fill  the  princi 
pal  posts  in  the  now  army.     Henry  Dearborn,  of  Massachu 
setts,  was  appointed  rh^or- general  and  coanmander-in-chief 
He  was  at  the  bit  tie  of  Bunker's   hill.     In  the  expedition 
against  Quohoc,  ho  served  as  a  eaptiin  under  Arnold.     Ho 
dlstinguishsd  himself  on  those  and  other  occasions;  and  at 
the   close  of  the  war  bore  tho  commission  of  colonul.     Ho 
held,  for  a  lon£  ti;nn,  the   of!ico  of  secretary  of  war,  and 
discharge!    its   duties   with   exomphry   industry   and    skill. 
Thomas   Pinknoy,   of  South  Carolina,  was   also  appointed 
major-general.    Among  tho  brigadiers' wore  Wilkinson,  Hull, 
Hampton,  and  BloomnVr.l. 

3.  At  tho  time  of  tho   dr-cl.; ration  of  war,  general  Hull 
was  also  governor  of  tho   Michigan  territory,  of  which  De 
troit  is  tho  capital.     On  the  I2lh  of  July,  with  two  thousand 
regulars  and  volunteers,  he  crossed   the   rivor   dividing  the 
United  States  from  Canada.    On  the  same  day.  ho  addressed 
a  proclamation  to  the  Canadians,  tendering  them  the  bles. 


254  MADISON'S 

sings  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  and  assuring  them,  in  a 
lofty  tone,  "  that  his  force  was  sufncient  to  break  down  all 
opposition,"  and  }vt  was  but  the  vanguard  of  one  much 
greater.  It  appaared  to  be  his  purpose  to  attack  Maiden, 
and  thence  proceed  to  Montreal. 

4.  Had  the   attack   been   instantly  made,  success  would 
have  been  highly  probable.    A  month  was  wasted  in  'ruinous 
delay.     Distrust  and   contempt  expelled  confidence  and  at 
tachment  from  the  breasts  of  the  Canadians.     The  aidor  of 
the  troops  began  to  cool.     Maiden  was  reinforced  ;  and  at 
this  critical  moment,  information  was  received  that  Macki 
naw,  an  American  post  above  Detroit,  had  surrendered  to  a 
large  body  of  British  and    Indians,  who  were  rushing  down 
the  river  in  numbers  sufficient  to  overwhelm   the  Ameri 
can  forces.     Panic  struck,  general  Hull  hastened  back  to 
Detroit. 

5.  General   Brock,  the   commander  at   Maiden,  pursued 
him,  with  a  force  superior  in  number,  but  composed  of  mi 
litia  and   Indians.     On  the  I4th  of  August,  he  erected  bat 
teries  opposite  Detroit.     The  next  day,  he  began  a  cannon 
ade  upon  the  American  fortifications,  which  was  returned 
with  precision  and  effect.     On  the  IGth,  the  enemy  crossed 
the    river,   taking   post  about   three  miles   nbove   the   city. 
Meeting  with    no  resistance,  and   hearing  that  some  of  the 
American   troops   were  absent,    general    Brock   resolved  to 
march  directly  forward  and  assault  the  fort. 

G.  The  troops,  cool  and  undaunted,  awaited  in  good  order 
f.ie  approach  of  the  enemy,  anticipating  an  easy  victory.  To 
the  astonishment  of  all,  general  Hull  forbade  the  artillery  to 
fire,  and  hung  out  a  white  flag  in  token  of  a  wish  to  cupitn- 
late.  A  correspondence  between  the  two  generals  was  im 
mediately  opened,  which  ended  in  the  surrender  of  the  army 
arid  of  the  territory  of  Michigan. 

7.  It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  indignation  of  tho  sol 
diers  and  citizens,  when  they  saw  themselves  delivered, 
by  the  authority  of  one  man,  into  the  power  of  an  enemy 
whom  they  supposed  they  might  easily  have  conquered. 
Many  believed  him  either  a  traitor  or  coward.  An  event 
so  disgraceful,  occurring  in  a  quarter  where  success  was 
confidently  anticipated,  caused  throughout  the  union  the 
greatest  mortification  and  amazement.  Stung  by  disap 
pointment,  all  united  in  censuring  general  Hull.  His 
greatest,  perhaps  his  only  faalt,  was  want  of  decision  and 
energy. 

8. "The  people  of  Ohio   and    Kentucky  were   alarmed. 


1812  ]  ADMINISTRATION.  255. 

Nearly  ten  thousand  citizens  made  a  tend^  of  their  ser 
vices,  and  a  part  of  them,  placed  under  the  command  of 
general  William  H.  Harrison,  marched  towards  the  terri 
tory  of  Michigan.  But.  great  and  numerous  were  the 
difficulties  encountered  ;  the  volunteers  were  unwilling  to 
.submit  to  the  wholesome  restraints  of  discipline ;  and 
winter  arrived  before  any  important  undertaking  could  be 
accomplished.  Several  incursions  were  made  into  the 
"Country  of  the  savages,  who,  instigated  by  British  agents, 
and  by  a  celebrated  Indian  prophet,  and  commanded  by  Te- 
•cuniseh,  a  gallant  'warrior,  had  become  almost  universally 
hostile. 

9.  For  the  purpose  of  invading  Canada  in  another  quar 
ter,  an  army  of  regulars  and  militia  were  assembled  on  the 
northern  frontier  of  New  York.     It  was  far  less  numerous 
than  the  government  had  anticipated.     So  hat>py  was  the 
^condition  of  even  the  poorest  class  of  American  citizens,  that 
but  few  could  be  induced  to  enlist  as  soldiers.     And  in  some 
-of  the  states  the  plausible  doctrine  was  maintained,  that  the 
officers  ef  the  general  government  have  no  power  over  the 
militia,  until  called  into  service  and  consigned  to  their  au 
thority,  by  the  state  executive,  and  that  even  then  they  can 
not  be  compelled  to  march  beyond  the  boundary  of  the  re 
public.     Several  governors  actually  withheld  their  militia, 
when  called   for  by  the   president,  and  thus  diminished  the 
amount  of  one  species  of  force  upon  which  the  general  go 
vernment  had  relied. 

10.  General  Van  Rensselaer,   of  the   New  York   militia, 
•being  the  senior  officer  on  that  frontier,  had  the  command  of 
these  troops,  which  were  called  the  army  of  the  centre.    His 
head-quarters  were  at  Lewistown,  on  the  river  Niagara,  and 
on  the  opposite  side  was  Quoeiistown,  a  fortified  British  post. 
The  militia  displaying  great  eagerness  to  be  led  against  the 
enemy,  the  general  determined  to  cross  over  to  Queenstown. 
The  first  attempt  was  defeated  by  tempestuous  weather.    On 
the  13th  ©f  October,  a  party,  led  by  colonel  Van  Rensselaer, 
effected  a  landing,  although  opposed  by  a  British  force  sta 
tioned  on   the  bank.     The  colonel  was  severely  wounded, 
but  the  treops,  tinder  captains  Ogiivie  and  Wool,  advanced  to 
^storrn  the  fort.     'They  gained  possession,  but,  at  the  moment 
of  success,  general   Brock  arrived,  from  a  neighboring  post, 
•with  a  reinforcement  of  six  hundred  men.     These.,  although 
the  most  numerous,  were  gallantly  driven  back  l]y  the  Ameri 
can  troops.     In  attempting  to  rally  them,  general  Brock  was 
killed. 


25G  MADISON'S  [1812. 

11.  General  Van  Re-nssclaer,  who  had  previously  crossed 
over,  now  returned  to  hasten  the  embarkation  of  the  rear 
division.     Those  who  had  lately  shown   such  eagerness  to 
meet  the  enemy,  now  utterly  refused  to  pass  beyond  the  na 
tional  boundary.     He   entreated   and   remonstrated,   bat  in 
vain.     Meanwhile  the  enemy,  having  received  another  rein 
forcement,  advanced  to  attack  the  Americans  in  the  fort.    A 
desperate  and  bloody  conflict  ensued,  of  which  the  militia, 
were  calm  spectators.     In  the  end,  the  British  were  com. 
pletely  victorious.     Of  one  thousand  men,  who  crossed  into 
Canada,  but  few  effected  their  escap*3. 

12.  Soon  after,  general  Van  Rerisselaer  retired  from  the 
service,  and  was  succeeded  by  general  Alexander  Smyth,  of 
Virginia.     In  a  turgid  address  to  the  "  Men  of  New  York," 
he  announced  that,  in  a  few  days,  he  should  plant  the  Ame 
rican  standard  in  Canada,  and  invited  them  to  share  in  the 
danger  and  glory  of  the  enterprise.     His  force  was  increased 
by  those  who  obeyed  his  call,  to  4500  men.     The  morning 
of  the  28th  of  November,  was  assigned  as  the  time  for  cross 
ing.     So  tardy  were  the  movements  of  the  troops,  that  until 
afternoon,  the  first  division  was  not  ready  to  leave  the  Ame 
rican  shore.     The  enemy  appeared  in  force  on  the  opposite 
bank ;  a  council  of  officers  decided  that  it  was  inexpedient 
at  that  time  to  cross  ;  and  the  troops  were  ordered  to  debark. 
They  were  disappointed   and  dissatisfied  ;  but  their  clamor 
was  appeased  by  the  assurance  that  another  attempt  would 
speedily  be  made, 

13.  The  next  day,  they  received  orders  to  be  in  readiness 
to  embark  on  the  first  of  December.     But  their  first  disap 
pointment  had  sensibly  damped  their  ardor.    At  tho  appoint 
ed  hour,  the  boats  were  not  reidy  to  move  ;  ajid  when  ready, 
but  1500  men  were  found  willing  to  cross.  A  council  of  war 
decided  unanimously  against  proceeding,  and  again  the  troops 
wore   ordered   to  debark.      The  plan   of   invading  Canada 
was  abandoned  for  the  season.     Tho   blame   of  these  fail 
ures   was  attributed,  by  the   soldiers,  to-  their   commander  ; 
and  so  highly  were  they  exasjxjrated,  that,  for  several  days, 
liis  life  was  in  danger  from  their  futfy. 

14.  The    army    of   the    north,    which    was    under    the 
immediate  command   of   general   Dearborn,   was    stationed 
at  Greenbush,   noar  Albany,   and   at   Plattsburgh,  on   lake 
Champlain.     From  the  latter  post,  a  detachment  marched  a 
short  distance  into  Canada,  surprised  a  small  body  of  British 
and  Indians,  and  destroyed  a  considerable  quantity  of  public 
stores.     Other  movements  were   anxiously  expected   by  the 


ADMINISTRATION,  257 

people ;  but  after  the  misfortunes  at  Detroit  and  Niagara, 
the  general  deemed  it  inexpedient  to  engaige  in  any  impor-, 
tant  enterprise, 

15.  Thus  ended  the  campaign  of  1812.     Although,  on 
many    occasions,    extraordinary    gallantry    had    been    dis 
played,    yet    nothing    was    accomplished,    and    the    losses 
sustained  were  numerous  and  heavy.     Thoss  who  approved 
of  the  declaration  of  war  felt  disappointed,  mortified,  and 
dejected.     They  attributed  most,  of  the  misfortunes  of  the 
country  to  the  conduct  of  the  federalists,  whom  they  accused 
of  endeavoring  to  prevent  enlistments  into  the  army,  and  of 
maintaining  the  most  perni-cious  doctrines  in  relation  to  the 
militia.     The  federalists,  on  the  other  hand,  attributed  these 
repeated  failures  to  the  imbecility  of  the  administration,  and 
to  the  unwise  selection  of  military  officers.     They  assumed 
a  bolder   tone  of  censure,  and  evinced  a  more  determined 
spirit  of  opposition* 

16.  But  while,   on   land,   defeat   and   disgrace  attended 
the  arms  of  the   republic,  0n   the  ocean,  where  the  injuries 
which  led  to  the  war  had  been  inflicted,  they  gained  a  rich 
•harvest  of   victory  and    glory.      Upon  the   declaration    of 
war,  the  American  officers  and  seamen  glowed  with  ardor 
to  avenge  the  sufferings  of  their  impressed  fellow  citizens, 
and  to  vindicate   the  honor  of  the  republican  flag.     Those 
ships  of  war,  which  were  ready  for  sea,  immediately  sailed 
in  search  of  the  enemy. 

17.  On  the   19th    of  August,   captain    Hull,   who   com 
manded    the  Constitution   of   forty-four    guns,  descried    a 
British  frigate.     His  crew,  giving  three   cheers,   requested 
to  be  placed  along    side  of   their  antagonist.      For  three 
•quarters    of  an    hour,   the    latter    endeavored,    by    skilful 
manosuveriiig,  to  obtain  the   advantage   of  position.      De 
feated    in    this,  she    advanced    towards    the   Constitution, 
firing  broadsides  at  intervals.     When  she   had  approached 
within  half  pistol  shot,  a  tremendous  cannonade  burst  upon 
her  from  the  American  frigate.     In   thirty  minutes,  every 
mast  and  nearly  every  spar  being  shot  away,  she  struck 
Jier  flag, 

18.  She  was  found  to  be  the  Guerriere  of  thirty-eight 
guns,   commanded  by  captain  Dacres.     Of  her  crew,  fifty 
were  killed  and  sixty-four  wounded,     She  had  received  so 
much   injury,  that  it  was  thought  to  lie  impossible  to  get 
tier  into  port,  and  she  was  burned.     The  injury  sustained 
by  the  Constitution   was  slight;  of  her  crew,    seven  were 
killed  and  seven  wounded.      Although  she  carried  a  few, 

22* 


258  MADISON'S  [1812. 

more  guns  than  her  antagonist,  yet  the  immense  disparity 
of  effect  clearly  demonstrated  the  superior  skill  of  the 
American  seamen.  Captain  Hull,  on  his  return  to  the 
United  States,  was  welcomed  with  enthusiasm,  by  his 
grateful  and  admiring  countrymen,  who  conferred  upon 
him  those  honors  and  distinctions  most  dear  to  the  patriot 
and  hero. 

19.  But  this  was  the  first  only  of  a  series  of  naval  vie- 
tories.  On  the  I8th  of  October,,  captain  Jones,  in  the 
Wasp,  of  eighteen  guns,  captured  the  Frolic,  of  twenty- 
two,  after  a  bloody  conflict  of  three  quarters  of  an  hour. 
In  this  action,  the  Americans  obtained  a  victory  over  a 
force  decidedly  superior.  On  their  part,  but  eight  were 
killed  and  wounded  ;  on  that  of  the  enemy,  about  eighty  I 
On  the  25th,  the  frigater  United  States,  commanded  by 
captain  Decatur,  encountered  and  captured  the  British, 
frigate  Macedonian.  The  former  carried  a  few  guns  the 
most,  but  the  disparity  of  loss  was  astonishingly  great.. 
On  the  part  of  the  enemy,  a.  hundred  and  four  were  killed 
and  wounded  ;  on  that  of  the  Americans,  but  eleven  !  The 
Wasp  was  unfortunately  captured  soon  after  her  victory,  by 
a  British  ship  of  the  line  ;  the  United  States  brought  her 
'prize  safely  to  New  York. 

20.  A  foirrth   naval   battle  was  fought,  and  a  fourth  vic 
tory  gained,  on   the  29th  of  December.     On  that  day,  the 
Constitution,  of  forty-four   guns,  then   commanded  by  cap 
tain  Boinbridge,  captured  the  British  frigate  Java,  of  ihirty- 
oight.     The    combat    continued    more    than    three    hours.. 
The  Java  was  reduced  to  a  wreck ;  of  her  crew  one  hundred 
and  sixty-one  were  killed  and  wounded  ;  of  that  of  the  Con 
stitution,  thirty-four. 

21.  These    successive  victories    were   peculiarly  gratify 
ing  to  the  nation  ;  they  were  gained,  in  the  midst  of  disas 
ters  on  land,  and  by  that  class  of  citizens  whose  rights  had 
been  violated  ;    they  were   gained   over  a  people   claiming 
to  bo  lords  of   the  sea,  whom  long  and  continued  success 
had    rendered    haughty  and    insolent,  and  who  had  confi 
dently  boasted  that  the  whole  American  navy  would  soon 
be  swept  from  the  ocean. 

22.  Many  British  merchantmen  were  likewise  captured 
by    the    American    navy  ;    and    privateers,    issuing    from 
almost    every  port,  and    many  of  them    bearing    flags  in- 
Bctibed  "  Free   Trade  and   Sailors*  Rights,"    were  remark 
ably  successful.      The  nu»iber  of  prizes  made  during  the 
first  seven  months  of  the  war,  exceeded  five  hundred 


1813.]  ADMINISTRATION.  259 

23.  In  the  autumn  of  this  year,  the  quadrennial  period 
for  the  election  of  president  and  vice-president  again  re 
curred.  The  candidates  for  president  were,  the  incum 
bent  Jarnes  Madison  of  Virginia,  and  De  Witt  Clinton  of 
New  York  ;  for  vice-president,  Elbridge  Gerry,  of  Massa 
chusetts,  and  Jared  Ingcrsoll,  of  Pennsylvania.  Those 
who  were  opposed  to  the  war,  supported  Mr.  Clinton  and 
Mr.  Ingersoll ;  and  they  were  joined  by  many  who  believed 
that,  should  the  former  be  elected  president,  and  should 
he  find  it  impracticable  to  make  an  honorable  peace,  he 
would  call  forth  the  resources,  and  direct  the  arms  of  the 
republic,  with  more  decision  and  energy.  Great  exertions 
were  made  by  the  partisans  of  the  opposing  candidates,  and 
the  passions  of  the  people,  especially  in  the  middle  and 
northern  states,  were  highly  excited.  Of  the  electoral 
votes  given,  Mr.  Madison  received  one  hundred  and  twen 
ty-eight,  and  Mr.  Gerry  one  hundred  and  thirty-one,  and 
were  elected.  Mr.  Clinton  received  eighty-nine,  and  Mr. 
Ingersoll  eighty-six. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1813. 

AT  the  commencement  of  the  session  of  Congress,  held 
in  the  autumn  of  1812,  the  president,  in  his  message,  stated 
that,  immediately  after  the  declaration  of  war,  he  communi 
cated  to  the  British  government  the  terms  on  which  .its 
progress  might  be  arrested ;  that  these  terms  were,  trie 
repeal  of  the  orders  in  council,  the  discharge  of  American 
seamen,  and  the  abandonment  of  the  practice  of  impress 
ment ;  and  that  the  ministry  had  declined  to  accede  to  his 
offers. 

2.  He  also  stated  that,  at  an  early  period  of  the  war,  he 
had  received  official  information  of  the  repeal  of  the  orders 
in  council;  that  two  propositions  for  an  armistice  had  been 
made  to  him,  both  of  which  he  had  rejected,  as  they  could 
not  have  been  accepted  without  conceding  to  Great  Britain 
the  riofht  of  impressment. 

3.  The  rejection  of  these  propositions  was  approved  by 
the  national  representatives,  who,  far  from  abandoning  the 
ground  they  had    taken,  adopted    more  vigorous  measures 
for    the    prosecution    of  the  war.     The    bounty,  and    the 


260  MADISON'S  [1813. 

wages  of  soldiers,  were  increased.  The  president  was  au 
thorized  to  raise  twenty  additional  regiments  of  infantry,  to 
issue  treasury  notes,  and  to  borrow  money.  Provision  was 
also  made  for  building  four  ships  of  the  line,  six  frigates, 
and  as  many  vessels  of  war  on  the  great  lakes  as  the  public 
service  might  require. 

4.  So  great  was  the  desire  of  the  citizens  of  the  western 
country  to  regain  possession  of  the  territory  of  Michigan, 
that,  hi  order  to  effect  it,  general  Harrison  resolved  to  un 
dertake   a  winter  campaign.     General  Winchester,  with   a 
portion  of  the  western  army,  proceeded  in  advance  to  French- 
town,  a  village  on  the  river  Raisin,  not  far  from  Detroit.     A 
British  party  stationed  in  the  village  was  attacked,  routed, 
and  entirely  dispersed. 

5.  The  Americans  encamped  near  the   field  of  battle,  a 
part  of  them  being  protected  by  close  garden  pickets.     Al 
though  near  an  enemy's  post,  but  little  precaution  was  taken 
to  prevent  a  surprise.     Early  in  ths  morning  of  the  22d  of 
January,  they  were  attacked  by  a  large  force  of  British  and 
Indians,   the    former  commanded   by   colonel    Proctor,   the 
latter  by  the  chiefs  Roundhead  and  Splitlog.     The  troops  in 
the  open  field  were  thrown  into  disorder.     General  Winches 
ter  and  other  officers  made  an  ineffectual  attempt  to  rally 
them.     They  fled,    but,  while   attempting  to  escape,   were 
mostly  killed  by  the   Indians.      The   general   and   colonel 
Lewis  were  made  prisoners. 

6.  The  troops  behind  the  pickets  maintained  the  contest 
with  undaunted  bravery.     At  length  colonel  Proctor  assured 
general  Winchester,   that  if  the   remainder  of  the   Ameri 
cans    would    immediately    surrender,    they  should   be   pro- 
teojjBd  from  massacre  ;  but  otherwise  he  would  set  fire  to 
the  village,  and  would  not  be  responsible  for  the  conduct 
of  the  savages.     Intimidated  by  this  threat,  general  Win 
chester  sent  an  order  to  the  troops  to  surrender,  which  they 
obeyed. 

-  7.  Colonel  Proctor,  leaving  the  wounded  without  a 
guard,  marched  back  immediately  to  Maiden.  The  In 
dians  accompanied  them  a  few  rniles,  but  returned  early 
the  next  morning.  Deeds  of  horror  followed.  The 
wounded  officers  were  dragged  from  the  houses,  killed 
and  scalped  in  the  streets.  The  buildings  were  set  on  fire. 
Some  who  attempted  to  escape  were  forced  back  into  the 
flames.  Others  were  put  to  death  by  the  tomahawk,  and 
left  shockingly  mangled  in  the  highway.  The  infamy  of 
this  butchery  should  not  full  upon  the  perpetrators  alone.  Tt 


lb!3.]  ADMINISTRATION.  261 

must  rest  equally  upon  those  who  instigated  them  to  hostil 
ity,  by  whofcic  side  they  fought,  who  were  able,  and  were 
bound  by  a  solemn  engagement  to  restrain  them. 

8.  The  battle  and  massacro  at  French  town,  clothed  Ken 
tucky  and  Ohio  in  mourning.  Other  volunteers,  indignant 
at  the  treachery  and  cruelty  of  their  foes,  hastened  to  the 
aid  of  Harrison.  He  marched  to  the  rapids  of  Miami, 
where  he  erected  a  fort,  which  he  culled  fort  Meigs,  in  ho 
nor  of  the  governor  of  Ohio.  On  the  first  of  May  it  was  in 
vested  by  a  larfre  number  of  Indians,  and  by  a  party  of  Bri 
tish  troops  from  Maiden,  the  whole  commanded  by  colonel 
Proctor. 

i).  Five  days  afterwards,  general  Clay,  at  the  head  of 
1200  Kentuckians,  made  an  attempt  to  raise  the  siege.  Di 
viding  his  force  into  several  parties,  and  making  an  impetu 
ous  onset,  he  drove  the  besiegers  from  their  works.  His 
troops,  supposing  the  victory  complete,  arid  disregarding  the 
orders  of  their  commander,  dispersed  into  the  woods.  The 
enemy  returning  from  their  flight,  obtained  an  easy  victory. 
Of  the  Americans,  two  or  three  hundred  escaped  into  the 
fort ;  about  three  hundred  were  killed  or  made  prisoners ; 
the  remainder  fled  to  the  nearest  settlements.  The  enemy 
sustained  considerable  loss. 

10.  The  fort  continued  to  be  defended  with   bravery  and 
skill.     The  Indians,  unaccustomed  to  sieges,  became  weary 
and  discontented.     On  the  8th  of  May,  notwithstanding  the 
entreaties    of   their    chief,  Tecumseh,  they  deserted    their 
allies.     On  the  9th.  the  enemy,  despairing  of  success,  marie 
a  precipitate  retreat.      General   Harrison,  leaving  general 
Clay  in    command,  returned   to  Ohio   for   reinforcements; 
but  in  this  quarter,  active  operations  were  not  resumed  until 
a  squadron  had  bueri  built  and  prepared  for  action  on  lake 
Erie. 

11.  At  Sackett's  Harbor,  on  the  northern  frontier,  a  body 
of  troops  had  been  assembled  under  the  command  of  general 
Dearborn,   and   great  exertions  wero  made,  by  commodore 
Chauncey,  to  build  and  equip  a  squadron,  on  lake  Ontario, 
sufficiently  powerful  to  contend  with  that  of  the  enemy.  By 
the  25th  of  April,  the  naval   preparations  were  so  far  com 
pleted   that,  the  general,  and    1700  troops,    wero  conveyed 
across  the  lake  to  the  attack   of  York,  the  capital  of  Upper 
Canada. 

12.  On  the  27th,   an   advanced   party,  led   by  brigadier- 
general  Pike,  who  was  born  in   a  camp,  and  bred  a  soldier 
from  his  birth,  landed,  although   opposed,   at   the    water's 


262  MADISON'S  [1813. 

edge,  by  a  superior  force.  After  a  short  but  severe  conflict, 
the  enemy  were  driven  to  their  fortifications.  The  rest  of 
the  troops  having  landed,  the  whole  party  pressed  forward, 
carried  the  first  battery  by  assault,  and  were  moving  towards 
the  main  works,  when  the  enemy's  magazine  blew  up,  with 
a  tremendous  explosion,  hurling  upon  the  advancing  troops 
immense  quantities  of  stone  and  timber. 

13.  Numbers  were  killed,  the  gallant  Pike  received  a  mor 
tal  wound;  the  troops  halted  for  a  moment,  but  recovering 
from  the  shock  again  pressed  forward,  and  soon  gained  pos 
session  of  the  town.  Of  the  British  troops,  one  hundred  were 
killed,  nearly  three  hundred  were   wounded,  and  the  same 
number  made  prisoners.     Of  the   Americans,  three  hundred 
and  twenty  were  killed  and  wounded,  and  nearly  all  of  them 
by  the  explosion  of  the  -magazine.     The  flag  which  waved 
over  the  fort  was  carried  to  the  dying  Pike ;  at  his  desire  it 
was  placed  under  his  head,  when,  with  the  smile  of  triumph 
on  his  lips,  he  expired. 

14.  The  object  of  the  expedition  attained,  the   squadron 
and    troops    returned    to    Sackett's    Harbor,    whence,    the 
wounded  and  prisoners  being  landed,  and  other,  troops  taken 
on  board,  it  sailed  to  fort  George,  at  the  head  of  the  lake. 
After  a  warm  engagement,  the   enemy  abandoned,  and  the 
Americans  entered  the  fort. '   The   fugitives  retired  to  the 
heights,  at  the  head  of  Burlington  bay.     On  their  retreat 
they  were   joined  by  a    detachment    from    fort    Erie    and 
Chippeway.     Two  brigades,  under    general  Chandler   and 
Winder,  were  despatched  in  pursuit.     On  the  evening  if 
the  5th  of  June,  they  encamped  at  Stony  creek,  in  the  vi 
cinity  of  the  enemy,  who,  considering  their  situation  desper 
ate,  turned  upon  their  pursuers  and  attacked  them  in  the 
night. 

15.  The  Americans  received  them  with   coolness  y   but, 
such  was  the  darkness,  that  general  Chandler,  intending  to 
place  himself  at  the  head  of  his  artillery,  threw  himself  into 
the  midst  of  a  British  party.     A  few  minutes  afterwards,  the 
same  mistake  was  committed  by  general  Winder.     Satisfied 
with  the  capture  of  these  officers,  and  a  few  other  prisoners, 
the  enemy  made  a  precipitate  retreat.     The  American  troops 
returned  to  fort  George.    This  misfortune  was  soon  followed 
by  another.     Lioutenant-colonel'Boerstler,  having  been  sent 
with  500  men,  to  disperse  a  body  of  the  enemy  collected  at 
the  Beaver  Dams,  was  surrounded,  and  the  whole   detach 
ment  made  prisoners 

16.  While  the  greater  part  of  the  American  army  was 


1813.]  ADMINISTRATION.  2G3 

thus  employed  in  Canada,  the  British  made  an  attack  upon 
the  important  post  of  Sackett's  Harbor.  On  the  27th  of 
May,  their  squadron  appeared  before  the  town.  Alarm  guns 
instantly  assembled  the  citizens  of  the  neighborhood.  Gen 
eral  Brown,  of  the  New  York  militia,  commanded  in  chief, 
his  whole  force  amounting  to  about  one  thousand  men.  By 
his  orders,  a  slight  breast  work  was  hastily  thrown  up,  at  the 
only  place  where  the  enemy  could  land.  Behind  this,  he 
placed  the  militia,  the  regulars  under  colonel  Backus  form- 
ing  a  second  line. 

17.  On  the  morning  of  the  29th,  one  thousand  British 
troops  landed  from   the   squadron.     They  advanced  toward 
the  breastwork.     The   militia,  seized  with   a  sudden  panic, 
fled  in    confusion.     Colonel    Mills,  in    a  vain    attempt    to 
rally  them,  was  mortally  wounded.     The  regulars,  after  a 
spirited   resistance,   were    compelled    to    retire    toward  the 
town,  but  in  their  retreat  they  took  possession  of  the  houses 
on  the  road.     From  these   coverts  they  poured   so  destruc 
tive  a  fire  on   the  British  column,   that  it   halted  and  fell 
back.      General    Brown,    by  a    stratagem,    converted    this 
slight  check  into  a  precipitate  flight.     Collecting  the  panic- 
struck  militia,  he  directed  their  course  along  a  road,  which, 
while  it  led  from  the  village,  appeared  to   the  British  com 
mander  to  lead  to  the  place  of  landing.     Perceiving  them 
marching  with  great  speed,  he  supposed  that  their  object  was 
to  cat  off  his  retreat,  and  re-ernburked  so  hastily  as  to  leave 
behind  most  of  bis  wounded.     General   Brown,   in   recom 
pense  for  his  services,  was  appointed  a  brigadier  in  the  regu 
lar  army. 

18.  Meanwhile,  upon  the    sea    coast,  a    distressing  and 
predatory  war  was  carried  on,  by  large  detachments  from 
the  powerful  navy  of  Great  Britain.     One  squadron,  station 
ed  in  Delaware   bay,  captured   and  burned   every  merchant 
vessel  which   came   within   its  reach.     The    inhabitants  of 
Lewistown,  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  having  refused  to  sell 
provisions  to  the  enemy,  the  village  was  bombarded,  and  se 
veral  attempts  were  made  to  land,  but  they  were  defeated  by 
the  militia. 

19.  Early  in   the   spring,   another,    and    more    powerful 
squadron  arrived  in  Chesapeake  bay.     It  was  commanded  by 
admiral  Cockburn,  who,  departing  from  the  usual  modes  of 
honorable  warfare,   directed  his  efforts  principally   against 
unoffending    citizens    and    peaceful    villages.      The    farm 
houses,  and  gentlemen's  seats  near  the  shore,  were   plun 
dered,  and  the  cattle  driven  away  or  wantonly  slaughtered. 


2C4  MADISON'S  [1&13. 

Frenchtown,  Havre  de  Grace,  Frederiektown,  and  George, 
town  were  sacked  and  burned.  Norfolk  was  saved  from  a 
similar  fate,  by  the  determined  bravery  of  a  small  force  sUu 
tioned  on  Crany  Island,  in  the  harbor.  A  furious  attack  way 
made  upon  Hampton,  which,  notwithstanding  the  gull  ant 
resistance  of  its  small  garrison,  was  captured,  and  the  unfor 
tunate  inhabitants  suffered  all  which  a  brutal  and  unrestram- 
ed  soldiery  could  inflict. 

20.  The  ocean,  in  the  mean  time,  had  been  the  theatre  of 
sanguinary  conflicts,  in  which  the  victors  gained  untarnish 
ed  laurels.     Captain  Lawrence,  in  the  sloop  of  war  Hornet, 
discovering,  in  the  neutral  port  of  San   Salvador,  a   British 
sloop  of  war  of  superior  force,  challenged  her  commander  to 
meet  hirn   at  sea.     The   challenge   being  declined,  captain 
Lawrence  blockaded  the  port  until    forced  by  a  ship  of  the 
line  to  retire. 

21.  Soon  after,  on  the  23d  of  February,  the  Hornet  met 
the  British  brig  Peacock,  of  about  equal  force.  A  fierce  com. 
bat  ensued.     In  less  than  fifteen  minutes,  the  Peacock  struck 
her  colors,  displaying,  at  the  same  time,  a  signal  of  distress. 
The  victors  hastened  to  the  relief  of  the  vanquished,  and  the 
same  strength  which  had  been  exerted  to  conquer  was  TIOW 
exerted  to  save.     Their  efforts  were  but  partially  successful. 
She  sunk  before   all  har  crew   could  be  removed,  carrying 
down   nine    British   seaman   and   throe   brave  and  generous 
Americans.     In  the  battle,  the  loss  of  the  Hornet  was  but 
one  killed  and  two  wounded  ;  that  of  the  Peacock  was  never 
ascertained. 

22.  On   his  return  to  the  United    States,   captain    Law. 
ronce  was  promoted  to  the  command  of  the  frigate  Chesa 
peake,  then  in   the   harbor  of  Boston.     For  several  weeks, 
the  British  frigate  Shannon,  of  equal  forcn,  but  having  a 
sslected  crew,  had  been  cruising  before   the  port  ;  and  cap. 
tain    Brook,    her   commander,    had    announced  his  wish   t.o 
meet,  in  single  combat,  an  American  frigate.     Inflamed  by 
this  challenge,   captain   Lawrenco,  although  his  crew  was 
just    enlisted,  and  his    officers  were  Grangers    to  him  and 
to  each  other,  set  sail,  on  the  first  of  June,  in  pursuit  of  the 
Shannon. 

23.  Towards   evening  of  the   same  day.    they  met,    and 
instantly  engaged,  with  unexampled  fury.     In  a   very  few 
minutes,  and  in  quick  succession,  the  sailing-master  of  the 
Chesapeake  was   killed,  captain  Lawrence  nml   three   lieu 
tenants  were  severely  wounded,  her  rigging  was  so  cut  to 
pieces  that  she  fell  on    board    the  Shannon,  her  chest  of 


1813,]  ADMINISTRATION.  265 

arms  blew  up,  captain  Lawrence  received  a  second  and  mortal 
wound,  arid  was  carried  below;  at  this  instant,  the  position 
of  the  ships  being  favorable,  captain  Brook,  at  the  head 'of 
his  marines,  gallantly  boarded  the  Chestipeake,  when  every 
officer  who  itould  take  command  being  killed  or  wounded, 
resistance  ceased,  and  the  American  flag  was  struck  by  the 
enemy. 

24.  That  fortune  favored  the   Shannon  cannot  be  doubt- 
ed.     That  the  event  would  have  been  the  same  had  fortune 
favored   neither,    is    rendered  probable   by   the    astonishing 
effect  of  her   tiro..     This  unexpected  defeat,   impelled  the 
Americans  to  seek    for    circumstances    consoling    to    their 
pride,  arid    in  the   journals    of  the  day,  many  such  were 
stated  to    have    preceded    and    attended    the    action.     But 
nothing  could  allay  their  grief  at  the  fall  of  the  youthful 
and  intrepid   Lawrence.      His  previous  victory   and  mag 
nanimous    conduct  had    rendered    him  the  favorite   of  the 
nation,  and  he  was  lamented  with    sorrow,  deep,  sincere, 
and  lasting.      When  carried  below,  he  was    asked    if  the 
colors  should  be  struck.     "  No,"    he    replied,   "  they  shall 
wave  while  1  live."     When  the  fate  of  the  ship  was  de 
cided,  his  proud   spirit  was  broken.     He   became   delirious 
from  excess    of  mental    and    bodily  suffering.     Whenever 
able  to  speak,  he  would  exclaim,  "  Don't  give  up  the  ship  !" 
an  expression  consecrated  by  his  countrymen  ;  and  he  utter, 
ed  but  few  other  words  during  the  four  days  that  he  survived 
his  defeat. 

25.  This  victory  was  not  achieved  without  loss.     Of  the 
crew  of  the  Shannon,  twenty-four  were  killed   and  fifty-six 
wounded.      Of  that  of   the  Chesapeake,    forty-eight   were 
killed  and  nearly  one  hundred  wounded.     Great  was  the  ex 
ultation  of  the  enemy.     Victories  over  the  frigates  of  other 
nations,  were  occurrences  too  common   to  excite  emotion ; 
but  the  capture    of   an  American   frigate,  was   considered 
a  glorious  epoch  in  the  naval  history  of  Great  Britain.     The 
honors  and  rewards    bestowed    upon    captain    Brook  wore 
such  as  had  never  before  been    received    but    by  the  con 
queror  of  a   squadron.      These    demonstrations  of  triumph 
wore  inadvertent  confessions  of  American  superiority ;  and 
were,  to  the  vanquished  themselves,  sources  of  triumph  and 
consolation. 

2G.  The  next  encounter  at  sea,  was  between  the   Ameri 
can  brig  Argus   and  the   British   brig  Pelican.     The   latter 
was  of  superior  force,  and  was  victorious.     Soon  after,  the 
American  brig   Enterprise,  commanded   by  lieutenant  Bur- 
23  f 


2G6  MADISON'S  [1813. 

rows,  captured  the  British  brig  Boxer,  commanded  by  captain 
Blyth.  These  vessels  were  of  equal  force,  but  the  greater 
effect  of  the  fire  of  the  Enterprise,  furnished  to  the  Ameri- 
ricaris  another  proof  of  the  superior  skill  of  their  seamen. 
Both  commanders  were  killed  in  the  action,  and  were  buried, 
each  by  the  other's  side,  in  Portland. 

27.  The  events  of  the  war  again  call  our  attention  to  the 
northwestern  frontier.     While  each   nation  was  busily  em- 
ployed  in  equipping  a  squadron  on   lake  Erie,  general  Clay 
remained  inactive  at  fort  Meigs.     About  the  last  of  July,  a 
large  number  of  British  and  Indians  appeared  before  the  fort, 
hoping  to  entice  the  garrison  to  a  general  action  in  the  field. 
After  waiting  a  few  days  without  succeeding,  they  decamp- 
ed,  and  proceeded  to  fort  Stephenson,  on  the  river  Sandusky. 
This  fort  was  little  more  than  a  picketing  surrounded  by  a 
ditch;  and  the  garrison  consisted  of  but  KK)  men,  who  were 
commanded  by  major  Croghan,  a  youth  of  twenty-one.     OG 
the  first  of  August,  it  was  invested  by  500  regulars  and  800 
Indians. 

28.  After  a  cannonade,  which  continued  two  days,  the 
enemy,  in  the  evening,  supposing  a  breach   had  been  made, 
advanced  to   assault  the  works.     Anticipating  this,  major 
Croghan  had  planted  a  six  pounder,  the  only  piece  of  cannon 
in  the  fort,  in  a  position  to  enfilade  the  ditch.     It  was  loaded 
with  grape-shot  and  slugs,  and  was  discharged   the  instant 
the  assailants  arrived  before  it.     The  British  commander  and 
many  of  his  men   were  killed,   and   many  others  severely 
wounded.     The  remainder,  in  haste  and   disorder,  retreated 
to  their  former  position,  and  at  dawn  of  day  retired  to  Mai 
den.     The  youthful  Croghan,    for   his  valor  and   good  con 
duct,  was  promoted  to   the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel.     Ho 
and  his  brave  companions  received  the  thanks  of  congress  j 
and  to  evince  their  respect  for  his  virtues,  the  ladies  of  Chi- 
licotho  presented  to  him  an  elegant  sword. 

29.  In  the  mean  time,  by   the   exertions   of  commodore 
Perry,  an  American  squadron  had  been  prepared  for  service 
on  lake  Eric.     It  consisted  of  nine  small  vessels,  carrying  in 
all  fifty-four  guns.     A  British  squadron   had  also  been  built 
and  equipped,  under  the  superintendence  of  commodore  Bar- 
clay.      It  consisted   of   six    vessels,   mounting   sixty-three 
guns. 

30.  Commodore  Perry,  immediately  sailing,   offered  bat. 
tie  to  his  adversary.     On  the  tenth  of  September,  the  Bri 
tish  commander,  having  the  wind  in  his  favor,  loft  the  har 
bor  of  Maiden  to  accept  the  offer.     In  a  few  hours,  the  wind 


1813 1  ADMINISTRATION.  267 

shifted,  giving  the  Americans  the  advantage.  Perry, 
forming  the  line  of  battle,  hoisted  his  flag,  on  which  were 
inscribed  the  words  of  the  dying  Lawrence,  "  Don't  give 
up  the  ship."  Loud  huzzas  from  all  the  vessels  proclaimed 
the  animation  with  which  this  motto  inspired  their  patriotic 
crews. 

31.  About  noon,  the  firing  commenced  ;  but,  the  wind  be- 
ing  light,  the  Lawrence,  the  commodore's  flag-ship,  was  the 
only  American  vessel  that,  could,  at  first,  engage  in  close  ac 
tion.     For  two  hours,  she  contended  alone  with  two  vessels, 
each  nearly  her  equal  in  force.     All  but  seven  of  her  crew 
were  either  killed  or  wounded,  and  she,  by  the  damage  she 
had   received,   was  rendered    wholly   unmanageable.      The 
wind  springing  up,  captain   Elliot  was  at  length  enabled  to 
bring  the   Niagara  into  action.     To  this   ship  commodore 
Perry,  sailing  in  an  open  bo.it  through  the  midst  of  the  fire, 
transferred  his  flag.     Again  the  combat  raged  with  undimin- 
ished  fury.     In  a  short  time,  one  of  the  British  vessels  sur 
rendered,  and  soon  after  another  ;  and,  the  rest  of  the  Ame 
rican  squadron  now  joining  in  the  action,  the  victory  was 
rendered  decisive  and  complete.     At  four  o'clock,  the  brave 
and  fortunate  commander  despatched  to  general  Harrison,  at 
fort  Meigs,  this  laconic  epistle  :  "  We  have  met  the  enemy, 
and  they  are  ours." 

32.  Great  was  the  joy  which  this  brilliant  victory  occasion 
ed  throughout  the  union.     That  it  was   achieved  over  a  su 
perior  force  ;  that  it  was  the  first  ever  gained  over  a  squad 
ron  ;  that  it  was   entirely  decisive  ;  that  it  opened  the  way 
to  the  recovery  of  all  that  had  been  lost  by  the  defeat  of  ge 
neral  Hull, — were  circumstances  which   threw  every   other 
victory  into  the  shade,  and  cast  the  brightest  lustre  upon  the 
characters  of  the  heroes  wiio  had  gained  it.     At  everyplace 
that  he  visited,  the  gallant  Perry  received  the  most  flattering 
proofs  of  a  nation's  gratitude  and  love. 

33.  As  soon  as  general  Harrison,  who  had  been  joined  by 
governor  Shelby  with  a  large  body  of  Kentucky  militia,  re 
ceived  intelligence  of  this  victory,  he  hastened  to   the  lake, 
and  was   conveyed  by  the  vessels  to   Maiden.     The  British 
commander  anticipating  this  movement,  had  abandoned  that 
place,  which,  on  the  28th  of  September,  was  occupied,  with 
out  opposition,  by  the  American  army. 

34.  The  enemy,  passing  Detroit  in  Onir  retreat,  ascended 
the  river  Thames,  to  the    Moravian  villages.     They  were 
pursued  by  general   Harrison,  and,  on   the  5th  of  October, 
brought  to  action.     His  force  being  greatly  superior,  a  com- 


268  MADISON'S  [1813 

plete  victory  was  easily  and  speedily  gained.  Six  hundred, 
nearly  the  whole  of  the  party,  were  made  prisoners;  Tecum. 
seh,  the  celebrated  Indian  chief,  was  killed ;  and  all  the 
posts  that  had  been  surrendered  by  general  Hull  were  recov 
ered  from  the  enemy. 

35.  Leaving  general  Cass  in  command  at.  Detroit,  general 
Harrison,  with  part  of  the  regular  force,  again  embarked,  on 
board  the  vessels,  arid,  on   the   24th,  arrived   at   Buffalo,  in 
New  York,  intending  to  join  the  America.n  army  on  the  Ni 
agara  frontier.     But,  a  sufficient  number  of  general  officers 
having  been  assigned  to  that  army,  he  received  permission  to 
return  to  his  family. 

36.  Previous  to  the  events  just  related,  general  Dearborn, 
in  consequence  of  severe  indisposition,  was  withdiawn  from 
active  service,  and  general  Wilkinson  appointed  to  command 
the  army  of  the   centre,  which   comprised  about  7000  men. 
Having  received  orders,  from  the  secretary   of  war,  to  de 
scend  the  St.  Lawrence  and  attack  Montreal,   he   directed 
the  scattered  detachments  to  assemble   at  Grenadier  Island, 
on  lake  Ontario.  Such  were  the  difficulties  attending  the  con. 
centration  of  the  troops,  and  such  perhaps  the  want  of  vigor 
in  the  commander,  that  the  flotilla,  upon   which  they  em- 
barked,  did  not  get  under  way  until  the  5th  of  November. 

37.  Their  progress  was    impeded    by  parties  which  the 
enemy,  at  every  convenient  position,  had  stationed  on  the 
-Canada.'shore.     To  disperse  these,  a  body  of  troops,  under 
the  command  of  general  Brown,  was  landed,  and  directed  to 
march  >in  advance  of  the  boats.     At  Chrystler's  fields,  on  the 
llth  of  November,  a  body  of  the  enemy,  of  equal  force,  was 
encountered.      In    the    battle  which    ensued,    both    fought 
with  resolute  bravery,  and  both  claimed  the  victory.     The 
loss  of  the  Americans  was    greatest,   but    they  drove    the 
enemy  from  their  position,  and  enabled  the  flotilla  to  pass 
unmolested. 

38.  The  next  day,  it  arrived  at  St.  Regis.     At  this  place, 
general   Hampton,   who  commanded    the  troops  at  Platts. 
burg,    had    been    ordered  to  meet   the   main   army,   and  no 
doubt  had  been  entertained    of  his   disposition  and  ability 
to  comply  with    the  order.     But,    he*e  general  Wilkinson, 
to  his  surprise    and    mortification,   was    informed    that  the 
contemplated  junction  would  not  take  place.     The  project 
of  attacking  Montreal  was  abandoned,  and   the   army  under 
Wilkinson,  marching  to   French  Mills,  there  encamped  for 
the  winter. 

39.  This  abortive  issue  of  the  campaign  occasioned  mur- 


1813.]  ADMINISTRATION.  269 

murs  throughout  the  nation.  The  causes  which  led  to  it, 
have  never  been  fully  developed.  The  severest  censure  fell 
upon  general  Armstrong,  who  was  secretary  of  war,  and  up 
on  general  Hampton.  The  latter  soon  after  resigned  his 
commission  in  the  army,  and  general  Izard  was  selected  to 
command  the  post  at  Plattsburg. 

40.  la  the  progress  of  our  narrative,  some  events  have 
been  passed  over,  which  will    now  be  related.     In   the  early 
part  of  this  year,  the  emperor  of  Russia  offered  his  mediation 
to  the  two  powers  at  war.     On  the  part  of  the  United  States 
the  offur  was  promptly  accepted,  and  Messrs.  Adams,  Galla- 
tin,  and  Bayard,  were  appointed  commissioners  to  negotiate, 
at  St.  lY-tersb'irg,  a  peace  under  the  proffered  mediation. 

41.  On   the    24th    of   May,  congress  was    convened    by 
proclamation  of  the  president.     Laws  were   enacted  impos 
ing  a  direct  tax  of  three  millions  of  dollars ;    authorizing 
the  collection  of  various  internal    duties ;    providing  for  a 
loan  of  seven  and  a  half  million  of  dollars  ;  and  prohibiting 
the  merchant  vessels  of  the  United  States  from  sailing  under 
British  licenses.     Near  the  close  of  the  session,  a  committee, 
appointed  to  inquire  into  the  subject,  made  a  long  report 
upon    the  spirit  arid  manner  in  which  the  war    had    been 
conducted  by  the  enemy.     Many  proofs  were  presented  of 
shameful  departures  from  the  rules  of  warfare  observed  by 
civilized  nations. 

42.  In  September,  commodore  Chaunccy  made  two  cruises 
upon   lake   Ontario,    and    repeatedly    offered    battle    to  the 
enemy's    squadron,  which  was    superior    in  force  ;    but  sir 
James  Yeo,  the  British  commander,  intimidated  by  the  result 
of  the  battle  on  lake  Erie,  retired  before  him.     On  one  occa 
sion,  however,  in  a  running  right,  his  ships  sustained  consid 
erable  injury. 

43.  In  the  same  month,  captain  Rogers,  who  commanded 
the  frigate  President,  returned   from   a   long  cruise,  having 
captured  eleven   merchantmen  ;  but   he   met  no  armed  ves 
sels,  the  capture  of  which  could  enhance  his  reputation.  Cap 
tain   Porter,  in  the  Essex,  rode   triumphant  in   the   Pacific 
ocean,  annoying  the  trade  of  the  enemy,  and  protecting  that 
of  the  republic. 

44.  The  Indians  at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  union 
had  imbibed  the  same   hostile  spirit  as  those  at  the  north 
western.     They  had  been  visited  by  Tecumseh,  and,  by  his 
eloquence,  persuaded  that  the  Great  Spirit  required  them  to 
unite  and  attempt  the  extirpation  of  the  whites,  and  had  pro 
mised  them  victory  as  the  reward  of  their  exertions.     In  tho 


270  MADISON'S  [1813. 

fall  of  1812,  a  cruel  war  was  carried  on,  by  the  Creeks  and 
Seminoles,  against  the  frontier  inhabitants  of  Georgia.  Gen 
eral  Jackson,  at  the  head  of  2500  volunteers  from  Tennes 
see,  marched  into  the  country  of  the  Indians.  They,  over, 
awed  by  his  presence,  desisted  for  a  time  from  hostility ;  but, 
after  his  return,  their  animositj  burst  forth  with  increased 
and  fatal  violence. 

45.  Dreading  thoir  cruelty,  about  three  hundred  men,  wo 
men,  and  children,  sought  safety  in  fort  Minims,  in  the  Ten. 
saw  settlement.     Although  frequent  warnings  of  an  intend 
ed  attack  had  been  given  them,  yet,  at  noonday,  on  the  30th 
of  August,  they  were  surprised  by  a  party  of  six  hundred  In 
dians,  who,  with  axes,  cut  their  way  into  the  fort,  and  drove 
the  people  into  the  houses  which  it  enclosed.     To  these  they 
set  fire.     Many  persons  were  burned,  and  many  killed  by  the 
tomahawk.     Only  seventeen  escaped  to  carry  the  horrid  ti 
dings  to  the  neighboring  stations. 

46.  The  whites   resolved  on   vengeance.     Again  general 
Jackson,  at  the  head  of  3500  militia  of  Tennessee,  marched 
into  the  southern  wilderness      A  detachment  under  general 
Coffee,  encountering,  at  Tallnshatchie,  a  body  of  Indians,  a 
sanguinary  conflict  ensued.     The  latter  fought  with  desper 
ation,  neither  giving  nor  receiving  quarter,  until  nearly  every 
warrior  had  perished. 

47.  At  Talladeira,  another   battle   was   fought,   in  which 
throe  hundred  Indians  perished.     The  rest  of  the  party,  ex 
ceeding  seven  hundred,  fled.     General  Jackson's  provisions 
being  exhausted,  he  was  unable  to  pursue  them.     While  on 
his  return  to  the  settlements,  to  obtain  a  supply,  his  troops 
became  refractory,  and  even  mutinous.     Nearly  all  return 
ed  to  their  homes  ;  but  to  the  small  number  that  remained 
were  soon  added  a  reinforcement  of  one  thousand  mounted 
volunteers. 

48.  At  the  head  of  this  force  he  marched  to  Emuckfaw. 
within  a  bend  of  the  Tallapoosa,  where  a  body  of  the  enemy 
were    posted.      To  several   skirmishes  succeeded  a  general 
battle,  in   which   the  whites  were   victorious,    but  sustained 
considerable  loss.     For  the  relief  of  the  wounded,  Jackson 
returned  to  fort  Strother,    where  the  volunteers  were  dis. 
charged.     General  White  from  East  Tennessee,  and  general 
Floyd   from   Georgia,  led  separate  expeditions  against  the 
Indians,  and  were  victorious  in  every  combat.     So  enraged 
were  the  savages,  that  but  few  would  accept  of  quarter  or 
seek  safety  in  retreat 

49.  Yet  still  was  the  spirit  of  the  Creeks  unsubdued,  and 


1813  ]  ADMINISTRATION.  271 

their  faith  in  victory  unshaken.  With  no  little  sagacity  and 
skill,  they  selected  and  fortified  another  position  on  the  Tal- 
lapoosa,  called  by  themselves  Tjhopeka,  and  hy  the  whites 
Horse-shoe  Bcind.  Here  nearly  a  thousand  warriors,  ani 
mated  with  a  fierce  and  determined  resolution,  were  collect, 
ed.  Three  thousand  men,  commanded  by  general  Jackson, 
marched  to  attack  this  post.  To  prevent  escape,  a  detach 
ment  under  general  Coffee,  encircled  the  Bend.  The  main 
body,  keeping  within  it,  advanced  to  the  fortress.  For  a  few 
miniates  the  opposing  forces  were  engaged,  muzzle  to  muzzle, 
at  the  port-holes.  Soon  the  troops,  leaping  over  the  walls, 
mingled  with  the  savages.  The  combat  was  furious  and 
sanguinary.  The  Indians,  fleeing  at  length  to  the  river,  be 
held  the  troops  on  the  opposite  bank.  Returning,  they  fought 
with  increased  fury  and  desperation,  and  continued  to  resist 
until  night.  Six  hundred  warriors  were  killed  ;  four  only 
yielded  themselves  prisoners ;  the  remaining  three  hundred 
escaped.  Of  the  whites,  fifty-five  were  killed,  and  one  hun 
dred  and  forty-six  wounded. 

50.  It  was  expected  that  another  stand  would  be  made,  by 
the  Indians,  at  a  place  called  the  Hickory  ground.  General 
Jackson  marched  thither  in  April.  The  principal  chiefs 
came  out  to  meet  him,  and  among  them  was  Wetherford,  a 
half  blood,  distinguished  equally  for  his  talents  and  cruelty. 
"  I  am  in  your  power,"  said  he  ;  "  do  with  me  what  you 
please.  I  commanded  at  fort  Mimms.  I  have  done  tho 
white  people  all  the  harm  I  could.  I  have  fought  them, 
and  fought  them  bravely.  There  was  a  time  when  I  had 
a  choice  ;  I  have  none  now ;  even  hope  is  ended.  Onco 
I  could  animate  my  warriors ;  but  I  cannot  animate  the 
de-ad.  They  can  no  longer  hear  my  voice  ;  their  bones  are 
at  Tallushatchie,  Talladega,  Emuckfaw,  and  Tohopeka. 
While  there  was  a  chance  of  success,  I  never  supplicated 
peace  ;  but  my  people  are  gone,  and  I  now  ask  it  for  my  na 
tion  and  myself."  Peace  was  concluded,  and  the  brave  gen. 
eral  Jackson  and  his  troops  enjoyed  an  honorable  but  short 
repose. 


272 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1814. 

CONCLUSION    OF    THE    WAR. 

IN  the  winter  of  1813-14,  the  fifteenth  congress  held  a 

cond  session.     To  increase  the  number,  and  to  add  to  the 

3iciency  of  the  army,  several  laws  were  passed,  by  one  of 

which  the  enormous  bounty  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-four 

dollars  was  offered  to  recruits.     The  president  was  author- 

ized  to  borrow  twenty-five  millions   of  dollars,  and  to  issue 

treasury  notes  to  the  amount  of  five  millions. 

2.  Before  the  termination  of  the  session,  a  communication 
was  received  from  the  British  government,  declining  to  treat 
under  the  mediation  of  Russia,  and  proposing  a  direct  nego 
tiation  at  London  or  Gottenburgh.     The  proposition  was  ac 
cepted   by  the  American   government,  wbo  chose   Gotten 
burgh  as  the  place  of  meeting,  for  which  Ghent  was  after, 
wards  substituted;  and  Henry  Clay  and  Jonathan    Russell 
were  joined  with  the  commissioners  already  in  Europe.    Mr. 
Clay,  in  consequence,  relinquished  the  station  of  speaker  of 
the  house  of  representatives,  and  was  succeeded  by  Langdon 
Cheves,  of  South  Carolina. 

3.  Early  in  the  spring,  the  American  army  marched  from 
French-Mills  ;  a  part  of  the  troops,  under  the  command  of 
general  Wilkinson,    proceeding  to  Plattsburgh,  and  the  re 
nuiinder,  under  general  Brown,  returning  to  Sackett's  Har 
bor.     Near  the  last  of  March,  general  Wilkinson  penetrated 
into  C  Linn  da,  and  attacked  a  body  of  the  enemy,  occupying 
a  large  stone  mill,  on  the  river  La  Cole.     He  was   repulsed 
with  considerable   loss.     This  defeat  detracted  from  his  al 
ready  diminished  reputation.     He  was   removed  from  com. 
mand,  and  general  Izard  appointed  to  succeed  him. 

4.  For    three  months,  .the  armies  of  both    nations  con 
tinucd  inactive.     Meanwhile,  information  was  received  of 
the    stupendous    events    which    had    recently  occurred    in 
Europe.     The  emperor    of    Franco,  having    been  arrested 
in  his  victorious  career,  and  sustained  defeat   after  defeat, 
was  comp^llpd  to  abdicate    his    throne,  and    retire    to  the 
island  of  Elba.     Louis   the  XVIII.  was   proclaimed   king; 
and  Great  Britain,  at    peace   with    all    the  world    but  the 
United  States,  was  enabled    to    direct  against  them  alono 


1814.J         MADISON'S  ADMINISTRATION.  273 

the  immense  force  which  had  heen  employed  to  crush 
her  rival.  She  delayed  not  to  use  the  advantages  af 
forded'  bv  her  good  fortune.  From  tke  ports  of  conquered 
France,  ships  of  war  and  transports,  beufmg1  veteran  and 
victorious  troops,  sailed  to  the  American  continent,  some 
destined  to  the  Niagara  frontier,  and  some  to  the  Atlantic 
coast. 

5.  These  events  could  not  be  viewed  with  indifference  by 
the   American  people.     The   friends   of  the  administration 
anticipated  a  severer  conflict,  and  prepared  for  greater  sacri 
fices  and  greater  sufferings.     Its  opposers  were  encouraged 
to  make  more  vigorous  efforts  to  wrest  the  reins  of  authority 
from  men  who,  they  asserted,  had  shown  themselves  incom 
peterit  to  hold  them.     These  efforts,  although  condemned  by 
a  great  majority  of  the  people,  diminished,  in  110  slight  de 
gree,  the  strength  of  the  republic. 

6.  In  the  beginning  of  July,  general  Brown,  who  had  been 
assiduously  employed  iu  disciplining  his  troops,  crossed  the 
.Niagara  with  about  3000  men,  and  took  possession,  without 
opposition,  of  fort  Erie.     In  a  strong  position,  at  Chippewa, 
a  few  miles  distant,  was  intrenched  an   equal   number  of 
•British   troops  commanded  by  general   Riall.     On  the  4th, 
general  Brown  approached  their  works.     The  next  day,  the 
two  armies  met  in  the  open   field.     The  conflict  was  obsti 
nate  and  bloody.     The  Americans  were  victorious  ;  and  the 
enemy,  having  sustained  the  loss  of  five  hundred  men,  sought 
safety  behind  their  intrenchments. 

7.  This  decisive  victory,  achieved  after  so  many  reverses, 
was  hailed  as  an  omen  of  future  success.     Soon  afterwards, 
general  Riall,  abandoning  his  works,  retired  to  the  heights 
of  Burlington.     Here  lieutenant-general  Drurnmond,  with  a 
large  reinforcement,  joined  him,  and  assuming  the  command, 
led  back   the   army  towards  the    American  camp.     On  the 
25th,  was  fought   the   battle  of  Brklgewater,  which   began 
before  sunset  and  continued  until  midnight* 

8.  This  battle  was  fought   near  the  cataract  of  Niagara, 
whose  roar  was  silenced  by  the  thunder  of  cannon  and  the 
din  of  arms,  but  wa«  distinctly  heard   during1  the  pauses  of 
the  fight.     At  intervals  the  moon  shone  brightly,  but  often 
her  light  was  obscured.     Against,  a  superior  force,  the  Ame 
ricans,   for  several   hours,   contended  with  various  success. 
During  the   first  part  of  the  engagement,  they  were  sorely 
annoyed,  into  whatever  part  of  the  field  they  might  drive  the 
enemy,  or  be  driven  by  the   British  artillery,  stationed  on  a 
commanding  eminence.     "  Can   you  storm  that  battery  »" 


274  MADISOJM'S  [1814 

said  general  Ripley  to  colonel  Miller.  "  I'll  try,  sir,"  was 
the  laconic  answer.  At  the  word  of  command,  his  men, 
with  steady  courage,  ascended  the  hill,  advanced  to  the 
muzzles  of  the  cannon,  killed  with  the  bayonet  several  artil 
lery-men,  on  the  point  of  firing  their  pieces,  and  drove  the 
remainder  before  them. 

9.  Both  parties  were  instantly  reinforced,  and  the  enemy 
made  a  daring  effort  to  regain  their  cannon.     They  were 
repulsed,  but  quickly  repeated  the  attempt.     Nearly  all  the 
opposing  forces  gathered  around  this  position,  and  to  possess 
it  was  the   sole  object  of  both  armies.     Again  the  enemy 
were  repulsed  ;  but  again  they  renewed  the  effort.     After 
a  violent  conflict,  they  were  a  third  time  driven  from  the 
hill.     The  firing  then  ceased  ;  the  British  troops  were  with 
drawn  ;  and  the  Americans  were  left  in  quiet  possession  of 
\he  field. 

10.  Generals  Brown  and  Scott  having  both  been  severely 
wounded,  the  command  devolved  upon  general  Ripley.     lie 
remained  a  few  hours  upon  the  hill,  collected  the  wounded, 
and  then  returned  unmolested  to  the  camp.     The  number  of 
the   killed   and  wounded   proves  the    bravery  of  the   com 
batants,  and  the  severity  of  the  conflict.     On  the  American 
side  it  was  743  ;  on  the   British,  one  hundred  less;  and  of 
the  latter  117  more  were  missing  than  of  the  former.     The 
British,  therefore,  besides  losing  their  position,  sustained  the 
greater  loss  of  men. 

11.  General   Ripley  found  his   force  so  much  weakened, 
that   he  deemed   it  prudent  again  to  occupy  fort  Erie.     On 
*Jie  4th  of  August,  it  was  invested  by  general  Drammond 
"*ith  5000  troops.     In  defending  it,  no  less  bravery  and  skill 
«riere  requisite,  and  no  less  were  displayed,  than  in  contend- 
ig  in  the  field.     In  the  night  between  the  14th  and  15th, 

.he  bcsiogers  made  an  assault  upon  the  fort,  which  was  re 
pelled  with  conspicuous  gallantry  by  the  garrison,  the  for 
mer  losing  more  than  nine  hundred  men,  the  latter  but 
eighty-four. 

12.  The  siepe  was  still  continued.     On  the  2d  of  Septem 
ber,    general  Brown,    having    recovered    from  his   wounds, 
threw  himself  into  the  fort,  aivd  took  command  of  the  gar 
rison.     For  their  fate,  groat  anxiety  was  fblt  by  the  nation, 
which  was,  however,  in  some  degree,  remove*}  by  the  march 
from  Plattsburgh  of  five   thousand  men  to  their  relief.     On 
the  17th,  a  sortie  was  made  by  the  besieged,  general  Porter 
of  the  New  York  militia,  and  general  Miller  of  the  regular 
army,  commanding  divisions.     The  bravery  of  the  troops 


1814.]  ADMINISTRATION.  275 

equalled  that  which  they  had  displayed  in  the  recent  con 
tests.  After  an  hour  of  close  fighting,  they  returned  to  the 
fort,  having  killed,  wounded,  and  takon  one  thousand  of 
the  enemy.  Their  loss  was  severe,  amounting  to  more  than 
five  hundred. 

13.  On  the  21st  of  September,  the  forty-ninth  'day  of  the 
siege,  general  Drummond  withdrew  his  forces,  relieving  the 
garrison  from  their  toil,  which  had  been  incessant,  and  from 
their  danger,   which   had   been  encountered   without   fear. 
Seldom  have  troops  deserved  higher  praise  of  their  country. 
On  the  9th  of  October,  general  Izard  arrived  with  the  rein- 
forcement  from  Plattsburgh,  arid  being  senior  officer,  took 
the  command.     On  the  18th,  he  marched,  with  his  whole 
force,  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  whom  he  found  at  Chippewa, 
strongly  posted  in  a. fortified  camp.     After  making  several 
unsuccessful  attempts  to  entice  them  into  the  field,  he  eva. 
cuated  Canada,  and  placed  his  troops  in  winter  quarters  al 
Buffalo,  Blackrock,  and  Batavia. 

14.  The  march  of  the  troops  from   Plattsburgh  having 
left  that  post  almost  defenceless,  the  enemy  determined  to 
attack  it    by  land,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  attempt  the 
destruction  of   the  American    flotilla  on    lake  Champlain. 
On  the  3d  of  September,  sir  George  Prevost,  the  governor 
general  of  Canada,  with  an  army  of  14,000  men,  most  of 
whom  'had  served  in  the  wars  of  Europe,  entered  the  terri 
tories  of  the  United  States.     As  soon  as  his  object  was  as. 
certaincd,    brigadier-general    Macornb,   the    commander    at 
Plattsburgh,  called  1o  his  aid  the  militia  of  New  York  and 
Vermont,  who,  with  alacrity  and  without  distinction  of  party, 
obeyed  the  call. 

15.  On  the  6th,  the  enemy  arrived  at  Plattsburgh,  which 
is  situated  near  lake  Champlain,  on  the  northerly  bank  of 
the  small  river  Saranac.     On  their  approach,  the  American 
troops,  who  were  posted  on    the  opposite  bank,  tore  up  the 
planks  of  the  bridges,  with  which  they  formed  slight  breast 
works,  and  prepared  to  dispute  the  passage  of  the  stream, 
kV'.voral  attempts  to  cross  it  were  made  by  the  enemy,  but 
thoy  were  uniformly  defeated.     From  this  time,  until  the 
llth,  the  British  army  were  employed  in  erecting  batteries, 
while  the  American  forces  were   every  hour  augmented  by 
the  arrivrJ  of  volunteers  and  militia. 

1G.  Early  in  the  morning  of  that  day,  the  British  sqund 
ron,  commanded  by  commodore  Downie.  appeared  off  the 
harbor  of  Plattsburgh,  whore  that  of  the  United  States, 
commanded  by  commodore  McDonough,  lay  at  anchor  pro- 


27G  MADISON'S  [1814. 

pared  for  battle.  The  former  earned  ninety-five  guns,  and 
was  maimed  with  upwards  of  1000  men ;  the  latter  carried 
eighty-six  guns,  and  was  manned  with  820  men. 

17.  At  nine  o'clock  the  battle  commenced.     Seldom  has 
the  ocean  witnessed  a  more  furious  encounter  than  now  took 
place  on  the  bosom  of  this  transparent  and  peaceful  lake. 
At  the  same  moment,  the  enemy  on   land  began  a  heavy 
cannonade  upon  the  American  lines,  and  attempted,  at  dif 
ferent  places,  to  cross  the  Saranac.     At  a  ford  above  the 
village  the  strife  was  hot  and  deadly.    As  often  as  the  enemy 
advanced    into  the  water,  they  received    a  destructive  fire 
from  the  militia,  and    their  dead   bodies  floated    down  the 
stream,  literally  crimsoned  with  blood. 

18.  At  half  past  eleven,  the  shout  of  victory,  heard  along 
the  American  lines,  announced  the  result  of  the  battle  on 
the  lake.     A  second    British  squadron  had  yielded  to  the 
prowess  of  American  seamen.     The  cry  animated  to  braver 
deeds  their  brethren  on  the  laud.    Fainter  became  the  efforts 
of  the  enemy.     In  the  afternoon,  they  withdrew  to  their  in- 
trenchments.     In  the  night,  they  began  a  precipitate  retreat, 
arid  hud  fled  eight  miles  before  their  departure  was  known 
in  the  American  camp. 

19.  Upon  the  lake,  the  American  loss  was  110  ;  the  Bri 
tish  194,  besides  prisoners.    On  land,  the  American  loss  was 
119  ;    that  of  the   British  was  estimated  at  2500.     In  the 
latter  number,  however,  were  included  more  than  five  hun 
dred  British  soldiers,  who,  preferring  America  to  their  na. 
tive    country,    deserted    from    the  retreating    army.     With 
these  splendid  victories  closed  the  campaign  on  the  northern 
frontier. 

20.  On  the  ocean,  the  republican  flag  maintained  its  high 
reputation.     Victory  was  not  always  won  ;  but  defeat  never 
occurred  a' tended  with  dishonor.  -  The  Essex,  commanded 
by  captain  Porter,  aftor  a  bloody  combat  protracted  longer 
than  was  necessary  to  vindicate  his  fame,  struck  to  a  British 
frigate  and  sloop  of  war,  whose  united  force  was  much  supe 
rior.     The  American  sloop  Peacock  captured  the  Epervier 
of  equal  force.     The  sloop  Wasp,  commanded  by  captcfin 
Blakely,  captured  the  Reindeer,  and  afterwards,  in  the  same 
cruise,  sunk  the  Avon,  each  of  superior  force.     She  made 
several  other  prizes  ;  but  never  returned  into  port.     Dark 
ness  rests  upon  her  fate.     She  probably  foundered  at  sea. 
The  republic,  with  deep  and  sincere  grief,  mourned  the  loss 
of  her  gallant  crew. 

91.    The  people  of  the  middle  and  southern  states,  an- 


1814.]  ADMINISTRATION.  277 

ticipating  a  great  augmentation  of  the  enemy's  force,  and 
uncertain  where  the  blow  would  full,  made  exertions  to  place 
every  exposed  position  in  a  posture  of  defence.  The  citi- 
rens  of  New  York  displayed  extraordinary  activity  and  zeal. 
Philadelphia  and  Baltimore  were  supposed  to  he  in  lesa 
langer,  but  additions  were  made  to  their  fortifications.  For 
he  protection  of  Washington,  a  military  district,  ernbrac- 
Tig  Maryland,  Columbia,  and  a  part  of  Virginia,  was  esta- 
»lished,  and  the  command  of  it  given  to  general  Winder,  of 
Baltimore.  One  thousand  regular  troops  were  placed  at 
<iis  disposal,  and  he  was  authorized  to  call  to  his  aid  15,000 
militia. 

22.  In  the  beginning  of  August,  the  expected  reinforce 
ments,  consisting  of  many  vessels  of  war,  and  a  large  num. 
bcr  of  troops,  arrived  in  the  Chesapeake  from  Europe.     Of 
this  force  several  frigates  and  bomb  vessels  were  ordered  to 
ascend  the  Potomac ;  another  division,  under  sir  Peter  Par- 
ker,  was  directed  to  threaten  Baltimore  ;  the  main  body  as 
cended  the  Patuxent  as  far  as  Benedict,  where,  on  the  19th 
of  August,  five  thousand  men,  commanded  by  general  Rows, 
were  landed. 

23.  In  the  mean  time,  general  Winder  had  called  on  the 
militia  to  repair  to  his  standard.     They  were  exceedingly 
remiss    in  obeying   the  call.     On  the  22d,  not  more  than 
two  thousand  had  assembled.     At  the  head  of  these,  and 
of  one  thousand  regulars,  he  took  a  position  not  far  from 
the  enemy,   intending    to  prevent   their   progress  into  the 
country. 

24.  A  particular  account  of  the  subsequent  events  will  not 
be    attempted.     General    Ross,   marching  through   a   scat 
tered  population,  advanced  towards  Washington.    The  Ame 
ricans  retired  before  him.     A  stand  was  made  near  Bladens. 
burgh.     The  militia  fled  on  the  approacli  of  danger  ;  but  a 
body  of  seamen  and  marines,  commanded    by  commodore 
Barney,  not  only  maintained  their  ground,  but  compelled 
the  enemy  to  give  way.     They  rallied,  however,  immediate, 
ly  :  outflanked  the  heroic  band,  put  it  to  flight,  and  hastened 
forward. 

25.  The  retreating  forces  were  ordered  to  assemble  on  the 
heights  near  the  capitol ;  and  there  they  were  joined  by  a 
body  of  Virginia  militia.     But  general  Winder,  considering 
hi.?  force  too  weak  to  oppose  effectual  resistance,  retreated 
to  the  heights  of  Georgetown.     Washington,  thus  left  de. 
fenceless,  was  deserted  by  most  of  the  citizens. 

26.  On   the  24th,  at    eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the 

24 


278  MADISON'S  [18U, 

enemy  entered  the  city,  and  at  nine,  the  capitol,  president's 
house,  and  many  other  buildings,  were  set  on  firy.  Valua 
ble  libraries,  works  of  taste,  and  elegant  specimens  of  the 
fine  arts,  were  consigned  to  destruction.  On  the  evening  of 
the  next  day,  the  enemy  left  the  city,  and  returned  unino- 
lestcd  to  Benedict ;  where,  on  the  30th,  they  embarked  on 
board  the  transports.  Their  lose,  during  the  incursion,  in 
cluding  deserters,  and  such  as  died  from  fatigue  on  the 
march,  exceeded  eight  hundred. 

27.  The  capture  of  Washington  reflected  disgrace  upon 
those  by  whom  it  ought  to  have  been  defended.     The  do- 
struction  of  the  national  edifices  attached  a  still  darker  stigma 
to  the  character  of  the  enemy.     The  whole  civilized  world 
exclaimed  against  the  act  as  a  violation  of  the  rules  of  mo 
dern  warfare.     The  capitals  of  most  of  the  European  king 
doms  had  lately  been  in  the  power  of  an  enemy  ;  but  in  no 
instance  had  the  conqueror  been  guilty  of  similar  conduct. 
An  indignant  spirit  pervaded  the  republic.     The  friends  of 
the  government  were  not  only  increased  in  number,  but  felt 
an  additional  motive  to  exert  all  their  faculties  to  overcome 
the  enemy  of  their  country. 

28.  The    squadron    which,  at    the  same  time,  ascended 
the    Potomac,   met  with    even    less    resistance    than    that 
which  ascended    the    Patuxent.     As  soon  as   it  arrived  at 
Alexandria,  the   citizens  proposed  a  capitulation  ;   and  the 
terms  were   speedily  adjusted  with  the  British'  commander. 
To  purchase  safety,  they  delivered  up  all  their  shipping  ; 
all  the  merchandise  in  the  city,  and  all  the  naval  and  ord 
nance  stores,  public  and   private.     With   a  fleet  of  prizes, 
loaded  with  a  rich  booty,  the  enemy  returned  immediately 
to  the  ocean. 

29.  The  success  of  the  attack  on  Washington  encouraged 
general  Ross  to  undertake  an  expedition  against  Baltimore. 
On  the  12f.h  of  September,  he  landed  5000  men  on  North 
Point,  about  fourteen  miles   from  the  city,  to  which  he  di 
rected  his  march.    Preparations  for  defence  had  already  been 
made.     The  whole  of  the  militia  had  been  called  into  the 
field  ;  the  aged  and  the   rich   had   voluntarily  entered  the 
ranks  ;  and  assistance  had  been  obtained  from  Pennsylvania 
and  Virginia. 

30.  General     Smith,    who    commanded    the    American 
forces,  detached  general  Striker,  with  three  thousand  men, 
to  retard  the  progress  of  the  enemy.     The  advanced  parties 
met    about   eight    miles    from    the   city.     In    the    skirmish 
which   ensued   general    Ross   was   killed.      The   invaders, 


1814.]  ADMINISTRATION.  279 

however,  under  the  command  of  colonel  Brooke,  continued 
to  advance,  and  soon  met  and  attacked  the  detachment  un 
der  Striker,  One  of  the  militia  regiments  gave  way.  This 
communicated  a  panic  to  the  others,  and  the  general  fell 
back  to  the  heights,  where,  behind  breastworks  hastily  erect 
ed,  the  main  body  of  tiie  Americans  awaited  an  attack. 

31.  After  landing  the  troops  at  North  Point,  the  British 
fleet  had  sailed  up  the  Potapsco,  and  bombarded  fort  McHenry 
and  fort  Covington,  which  stand  at  the  entrance  into  the 
harbor.     The  former  was  commanded  by  major  Armistead, 
the  latter  by  Lieutenant  Ncwcomb,  of  the  navy.     Both  were 
gallantly  defended,  the  fleet  was  repulsed,  and  the  commander 
of  the  troops,  finding  that  the  naval   force  conld   afford  no 
further   assistance,   retreated,  on  the   14th,  to  North  Point, 
and  the   next  day  re-embarked.     Soon   after,  the  fleet  left 
Chesapeake   bay,    and  part  proceeded  southward  to  convey 
the  troops   to  the  theatre  of  future  operations  and  of  unpre 
cedented  slaughter. 

32.  In  tho  New  England  states,  a  majority  of  the  people 
wero,  from  the  first,  opposed  to  the  war  ;  and  as  it  restrained 
them  from  their  most  profitable  pursuits,  commerce  and  the 
fisheries,  their  dissatisfaction  continued  to  increase.     They 
complained   that  their  peculiar  interests  were   disregarded, 
and  that  the  government,  employing  elsewhere  the  resources 
drawn  from  New  England,  did  not  afford  them  that  protec- 

-  tion  to  which,  as  a  part  of  the  nation,  they  wrere  entitled. 
The  most  zealous  therefore  recommended  that  not  only  the 
nii.lit.i-i  but  the  revenue  should  be  retained  at  home  and  em. 
ployed  for  their  own  defence  and  protection. 

33.  The    general   court  of  Massachusetts    proposed  that 
a  convention  of  delegates,  from  the   New  England  states, 
should    assemble   at    Hartford,   to   devise  means    to  obtain 
redress   of    their    grievances.      To   this    proposition   Con 
necticut    and  Rhode    Island   acceded.      In    December   the 
convention  met,  consisting  of  delegates  from  those  states  ap 
pointed  by  their  legislatures  ;  of  two  from  New  Hampshire, 
and    one    from    Vermont,    appointed    at    county    meetings. 
Their  sittings  were  secret.     Upon  their  adjournment,  they 
published  an  address  to  the  people,  in  which,  in  bold  and 
forcible  language,  they  enumerated  the  measures  of  the  na 
tional  government,  supposed  to  be  particularly  detrimental 
to   the   interests  of  New    England,  and  of  the  commercial 
class  of  the  nation,  and   proposed  such   amendments  to  the 
constitution  as  would  prevent,  in  future,  lhf    Adoption  of  si 
milar  measures. 


230  MADISON'S  [1814. 

34.  In  the  full,  information  was  received  that  the  Ameri 
can  and  British  commissioners  had  met  and  held  conferen 
ces  at  Ghent.     Great  Britain,  rendered  arrogant  by  her  re 
cent  triumphs  in  Europe,  by  the  capture  of  Washington,  and 
by  the   boldness  of  the   opposition,  demanded  terms  which 
extinguished  the  hope  of  a  speedy  reconciliation.     Congress 
shrunk   riot  from   the  duty  which  the  crisis  imposed.     Al 
though  the  expenditures  of  the  nation  greatly  exceeded  the 
income  ;  although  its  finances  were  in  disorder,  and  its  credit 
was  impaired,  yet  the  national  legislature,  with  undaunted 
firmness,  entered  upon  the  task  of  furnishing  the  means  to 
prosecute   the  war  with   increased  vigor.     The  taxes   were 
augmented,  and  new  loans  were  authorized.     The  duties  of 
secretary  at  war,  from  which   post   general  Armstrong   was 
removed,  were  assigned  to  Mr.  Monroe,  the  secretary  of  stats, 
and  Mr.  Dallas,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  appointed  secretary  of 
the  treasury. 

35.  The   repose   of  general  Jackson,   and  of  the  troops 
whom    he   commanded,    was   interrupted   by  the   arrival,    at 
Pensacola,  in  August,  of  three  British  ships  of  war,  bring 
ing  three   hundred   soldiers,  and   arms  and    ammunition   to 
be  distributed  among  the  Indians  of  Florida.     The  troops 
were  permitted,  by  the  Spaniards,  to  take  possession  of  the 
fort,  and  the  commander  issued  a  proclamation,  indicating 
an  intention  of  carrying  on  war  against  the  adjacent  parts  of 
the  republic. 

36.  General    Jackson,    with    characteristic    promptness, 
took   instant  and  efficient  measures  for   calling  to  his  aid 
the  patriotic  militia,  who  had   before  been  victorious  under 
his  banners.     Aad   haying  remonstrated   in  vain   with   the 
governor  of  Pensacola,  for  affording  shelter  and  protection 
to  the  enemie0  of  the   United  States,  he,  near  the   end   of 
October,  at  the  head  of  a  body  of  regulars  and  two  thousand 
mounted   volunteers,  inarched   against  that   place.     A  flag 
sent   to   demand   redress,  was   fired   on   from   the   batteries. 
He   immediately  marched   into  the  city,  stormed  the  fort, 
obtained    entire   possession,  and  compelled  the   British   to 
evacuate  Florida. 

37.  Returning  to   his   head-quarters   at  Mobile,  ho  there 
received    intelligence   that  a  powerful    expedition  was  on 
the   way   to    attack    New    Orleans.      Without    delay,    he 
marched,  with  his  troops,  to  that  city.     He  found  it  in   a 
state   of  confusion   and   alarm.     The  militia,   composed  of 
men   of    all   nations,   was    imperfectly   organized.      Many, 
feeling  no  attachment  to  the  republic,  had   refused  to  enter 


1814.]  ADMINISTRATION.  281 

the  ranks.  No  fortifications  existed  on  the  various  routes 
by  which  the  place  could  he  approached  ;  and  fears  were 
entertained  that  the  reinforcements  of  militia,  which  were 
expected  from  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  could  riot  arrive  in 
V-jne  to  take  part  in  the  content. 

38.  Undismayed  by  the  difficuties  which  surrounded  him, 
general    Jackson    adopted    the    most   decided    and    efficient 
oieatis  for  the  safety  of  this  rich  and  important   city.     He 
visited   in   person   every  exposed   point,  and  designated  the 
positions  to  be    fortified.      He   mingled  with   the   citizens, 
arid  infused  into  the  greater  part  his  own  spirit  and  energy. 
By  his   presence   and   exhortations,   they   were  animated  to 
exertions   of  which   before   they  were   not  supposed  to  be 
capable.     All  who   could  wield   a  spade,  or  carry  a  musket, 
were  put  to  work  upon  the  fortifications,  or  trained  in  the 
art  of  defending  them. 

39.  The   Mississippi,  upon  the  east  bank  of  which  New 
Orleans   stands,   flows    to    the   ocean    in   several   channels. 
One,  leaving  the  main   stream   above  the  city,  runs  east  of 
it,  and    forms,   in    its  course,  lake  Ponchartrain   and  lake 
B«rgne.      Early    in    December,    the    enemy    entered  this 
channel.     Their  whole  force  amounted  to  about  8000  men, 
a  part  of  whom  had  just  left  the  shores  of  the  Chesapeake, 
and   the  remainder  had  arrived  directly  from  England.     A 
small   squadron   of  gunboats,   under  lieutenant  Jones,   was 
despatched  to  oppose  their  passage  into  the   lake.     These 
were  met  by  a  superior  force,  and,  after  a  spirited  conflict, 
in  which  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the  enemy  exceeded 
the  whole  number  of  the  Americans,  they  were  compelled  to 
sur  rentier. 

40.  This  disaster  required  the  adoption,  in  the   city,  of 
more    vigorous    measures.      Disaffection    growing    bolder, 
•Aiartial   law  was    proclaimed  ;    the    authority   of  the   civil 
magistrate  was    suspended  ;    and   arbitrary  power  was    as 
sumed   and    exercised    by   the    commander-in-chief.      May 
no  emergency  hereafter  occur,  in  which  a  military  officer 
shall  consider  himself  authorized  to  cite,  as  a  precedent,  this 
violation  of  the  constitution. 

41.  On  the  21st  of  December,  four  thousand  mih-.ia  ar 
rived  from  Tennessee.     On  the  22d,  the  enemy,  having  pre 
viously  landed,  took  a  position  near  the  main  channel  of 
the  river,  about  eight  miles  below  the  city.     In  the  evening 
of  the  23d,  general  Jackson  made  a  sudden  and  furious  at 
tack  upon  their  camp.     They  were  thrown   into  disorder ; 
but  they  soon  rallied   and  fought  with  bravery  equal  to  that 

24* 


282  MADISON'S  [1815. 

of  the  assailants.  Satisfied  with  the  advantages  first  gained, 
he  withdrew  his  troops,  fortified  a  strong  position  four  miles 
below  New  Orleans,  and  supported  it  by  batteries  erec-ted  on 
the  west  bank  of  the  river. 

42.  On  the  28th  of  December,  and  first  of  January,  vigo 
rous  but  unsuccessful  attacks  were  made  upon  these  fortifica 
tions  by  the  enemy.     In  the  mean  time,  both  armies  had  re 
ceived  reinforcements  ;  and  general  Packenham,  the  British 
commander,  resolved  to  exert  all  his  strength  in  a  combined 
attack  upon   the  American   positions   on   both   sides  of  the 
river.     With  almost  incredible  industry,  he  caused  a  canal, 
leading  from  a  creek  emptying  into  lake  Borgne  to  the  main 
channel  of  the  Mississippi,  to  be  dug,  that  he  might  remove 
a  part  of  his  boats  and  artillery  to  the  latter.     All  things  be. 
ing  prepared,  the  8th  of  January  was  assigned  for  the  assault. 

43.  In  the  night,  a  regiment  was  transported  across  the 
river,  to  storm  the  works  on  the  western  bank,  and  turn  the 
guns  on  the  American  troops  on  the  eastern.     Early  in  the 
morning,  the  main  body  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  seven  or 
eight  thousand  men,  marched  from  their  camp  to  the  assault. 
While  approaching,  fearless  and  undaunted,  showers  of  grape- 
shot  thinned  their  ranks.     When  they  came  within  musket- 
shot,  a  vivid  stream  of  fire   burst  from  the  American  lines. 
General  Jackson  having  placed  his  troops  in  two  ranks,  those 
in  the  rear  loaded  for  those  in  front,  enabling  them  to  fire 
with  scarcely  a  moment's  intermission.     The  militia  of  the 
west,  trained  from  infancy  to  the  use  of  the   rifle,  seldom 
took  unsteady  or  uncertain  aim.     The   plain  was  soon  co- 
Tered  with  dead  and  wounded.     Some  British  regiments  fal 
tered  and  fell  back ;  but  others  advanced  and  presented  new 
victims.     While   bravely  leading  to  the  walls  the  regiment 
which  bore  the  ladders,  general  Packenham  was  killed.     In 
attempting  to  restore  order  and  to  rally  the  fugitives,  general 
Gibbs,  the  second  in  command,  was  wounded  mortally,  and 
general   Keene  severely.     Without  officers   to  direct  them, 
the  troops   first  halted,  then  fell  back,  and  soon  fled  in  dis 
order  to  their  camp.     In  little  more  than  an  hour,  two  thou 
sand  of  the  enemy  were  laid  prostrate  upon  the  field  ;  while 
of  the  Americans  but  seven  were  killed  and  six  wounded — 
a  disproportion   of  loss  without  a  parallel  in  the   annals  of 
warfare. 

44.  The  events  of  the  day,  on  the  west  side  of  the  river, 
presents  a  striking  instance  of  the   uncertainty  of  warlike 
operations.     There  the  Americans  were  thrice  the  number 
of  the  assailants,  and  were  protected  by  intrenchments  ;  but 


1815.1  ADMINISTRATION.  283 

they  in  gloriously  fled.  They  were  closely  pursued,  until  the 
British  parly,  receiving  intelligence  of  the  defeat  of  the  main 
army,  withdrew  from  pursuit,  and  recrossed  the  river.  They 
then  returned  and  resumed  possession  of  their  intrenchments. 

45.  General  Lambert,  upon  whom  the  command  of  the 
British  army  had  devolved,  having  lost  all  hope  of  success, 
prepared  to  return  to  his  shipping.     In  his  retreat  he  was 
not   molested  ;  general  Jackson  wisely  resolving  to   hazard 
nothing  that  he  had  gained,  in  attempting  to  gain  still  more. 

46.  In  the  midst  of  the  rejoicings  for  this  signal  victory, 
a  special   messenger  arrived   from   Europe,  with  a  treaty  of 
peace,  which,  in  December,  had   been   concluded  at  Client. 
The  British  government  had  receded  from  all  their  demands  ; 
and  as  the  orders  in  council  had  been  repealed,  and  all  mo 
tive  for  the  impressment  of  seamen  had  ceased  with  the  war 
in  Europe,  no  stipulation,  in  relation  to  these  subjects,  was 
inserted  in  the  treaty,  which   provided   merely  for  the  resto- 
ntion  of  peace  and  the  revision  of  boundaries.     The  treaty 
was  immediately  ratified  by  the  president  and  senate. 

47.  The  war,  however,  did  not  cease  on  the  ocean,  until 
two  additional  victories  had   imparted  a  brighter   lustre   to 
the  Republican  flag.     In   February,  the   Constitution,  then 
cruising   under   the  command  of  captain  Stewart,  captured 
the  Cyane  and  Levant,  whose  forces  united  were  superior  to 
hers;  and  in   March,  the  sloop   Hornet   captured  the  brig 
Penguin,  stronger  in  guns  and  men  than  the  victor. 


APPENDIX. 


THE  Eiiglish  colonies  of  North  America  were  sailed  under  the 
most  favorable  auspices.  The  miiul  of  man  had  just  hurst  from: 
thraldom,  and  begun  to  delight  in  the  free  and  vigorous  exercise  ol 
it?  powers.  Religion  and  government  had  become  themes  of  ani 
mated  discussion.  The  people  had  boidly  questioned  the  divine 
right  of  their  rulers  to  control  their  actions,  and  of  their  priests  to 
prescribe  to  them  articles  of  faith.  They  had  assumed  a  higher 
rank  and  bolder  attitude,  and,  conscious  of  their  own  power,  had 
begun  to  feel  less  dependence  upon  others. 

2.  From  that  country,   where  the  advancement  of  knowledge 
had   been  greatest,  came  those  who   peopled  this  western  wilder 
ness.     They  belonged  principally  to  a  class  so  high  as  to  have  par 
ticipated  largely  in.  the  advantages  which  knowledge  imparts,  and 
yet  not  so  high  as  to  be  above  the  power  of  the  oppressor.     The 
persecutions  they  had  endured  rendered  the  principles  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty  more  dear  to  their  hearts,  and  led  to  inquiries  and 
reflections,  which  fixed  a  conviction,  o*  their  truth  more  firmly  in 
their  understandings. 

3.  No  occasion  could  b.e  uaore  fortunate,  no  men,  could  be  bet 
ter  fitted,  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  superstructure  entirely  new. 
Their  knowledge  enabled  them  to  discern  the  good  and  the  evil 
of  the  political   institutions,  which  had  existed   in  the  world;  and 
theii    feelings,  chastened  by  their  sufferings,  or  elevated  by  their 
favorable  view:  of  human   'nature,  led  them  to  reject  those  pro 
visions,  which  sacrificed  the   happiness  of  many  to  the  spleodor 
of  a  few,  and  to  adopt  such  only  as  gave  equal  rights  and  privileges 
to  alK 

4.  In   every  nation  of  "Europe,  ecclesiastical  establishments  ex 
isted,  almost  co-ordinate  with  the  civil  authority.     The  officers  of 
these  establishments  were  numerous,  and  their  privileges  extensive. 
For  their  support,  in  early  times,  a  tenth  part  of  the  ihcome  of  the 
laity  was  appropriated.     Possessing  wealth,  and  rank,  and  learn 
ing,  their  influence  was  gi;ea,t,,and  was  constantly  exerted  to  ac 
quire  and  preserve  dominion   over  the  minds  and  consciences  of 
men.     Their    success  was   equal    to  the    means  which   they  em 
ployed.     They  continued  to  add  to  their  wealth  and   power,  until, 
corrupted   by  luxury  and   idleness,  they  forgot  their  duties  to  God 
and  to  man,  and  encumbered  society  with  a  useless  and  oppressive 
weight* 

5.  l\o  part  of  these  establishments   have    been  transferred    to 
America.     The    first   settlers   of  most   of  the    colonies  were  too 
proud  of  their  attainments  in  spiritual  knowledge,   to   submit  to 
dictation   m   matters  of  faith,  and  too  independent    in  feeling  to 
acknowledge  a  superior  on   earth.     Here    man   resumed   his  na- 
turai  and  dignified  station  ;  and  the  ministers  of  the  gospel,  main 
taining  an  apostolical   simplicity  of  character  and   manners,  have 
seldom  sought  to  obtain,  and  possess  not  the  means  of  obtaining, 


APPENDIX.  235 

any  greater  influence  tlian  that  which  superior  virtue  and  piety 
confer. 

t>.  The  doctrine  of  hereditary  right  prevailed  also  throughout 
Europe.  By  the  fundamental  regulations  of  nearly  every  kingdom, 
the  monarch  and  nobles  transmitted  to  their  eldest  sons,  even 
though  destitute  of  talents  and  virtue,  their  authority,  privileges, 
and  rank.  The  people  oft-<?n  saw  on  (he  throne  men  who  were 
guilty  of'  th«  most  atrocious  wickedness,  and  whose  conduct  in 
volved  communities  and  nations  in  misery;  but  no  attempt  could 
be  made  to  remove  or  punish  them  without  incurring  the  penalty 
of  rebellion.  They  saw  also,  in  other  exalted  stations,  men  equally 
Wicked  and  equally  beyond  their  control. 

7.  The  law  of  primogeniture  existed  as  a  part  of  the  hereditary 
system.     The  elclest  son  inherited,  not  the  title  only,  but  also  all 
the   lands  of  the  father.     By  this  unjust  and  unnatural   law,  the 
younger  sons  and  the  daughters  were  doomed  to  comparative  po 
verty.     One    portion   of  the  people   was  made  rich    and  another 
poor.     Few  were   placed  in   that  happy  medium  between   wealth 
and  poverty,  which  is  most  favorable  to  virtue,  to  happiness,  and 
to  the  improvement  of  the  human  faculties. 

8.  The  principle,  that  power  could  be  inherited,   was  at  onc« 
rejected   by  the  first  emigrants  to  America.     They  had  witnessed, 
in   Europe,  the  pernicious  operation  of  this  principle;  they  were 
convinced  of  its  absurdity ;  and  even  had  not  such  been  the  case, 
that  equality  of  rank  and  condition,  which  existed  among  them, 
would  have  prevented  any  one  from  claiming  such  a  privilege  for 
his  family,  and  all  others  from  submitting  to  it. 

9.  The   law  of  primogeniture  fell  of  course  into  disuse,  or  was 
abolished.     That  equality  of  rights  and  of  rank,  which   prevailed 
at  first,  has  continued  to  prevail ;  and  though,  in  some  of  the  colo 
nies,   the  extravagant   grants  of  land,   which   were  made  by  ca 
pricious  governors  to  their  favorites,  introduced  great  inequality 
of  fortune,  yet  the   salutary  operation   of  various  laws   is  conti 
nually  diminishing  this,  inequality,  dividing  and  distributing  among 
many  that    wealth,   which,   when   in   the    hands  of  a  few,  is  less 
beneficial  to  tiie  public,  and   productive  of  less  individual  enjoy 
ment. 

10.  The    systems   of  government   established    in    the    colonies, 
were   also  departures   from    European    precedents,  and  were   in 
perfect  harmony  with  their  social  institutions.     Most  of  the  pro 
visions  of  the  early  charters  were  doubtless  suggested  by  the  first 
emigrants,    and    of   course    accorded  with    their    liberal    political 
principle*.     The   kings,  who   granted   them,  conceded  many   pri 
vileges  to  encourage  the  settlement  of  colonies  in   America,  en 
tertaining  no  suspicion  that  their  successor's  would  ever  have  occa 
sion  to  regret  their  concessions.     These   charters  made  but  little 
distinction   in  the    rights  and   privileges  of  the  colonists.     Every 
man  could  regard  those  around  him  as  his  equals.     The  sfnte  of 
individual  dependence  being  hardly  known,  all  sense  of  depend 
ence  on  the  mother  country  was  gradually  lost;  and  the  transition 
from  a  colonial  to  an  independent  condition  was  natural  and  una 
voidable. 


286  APPENDIX, 

11.  In  nothing  is  the  contrast  between  the  two  systems  of  go 
vernment  greater  than   ill  the   requisitions,   which   they  'make  o» 
the  people   for  their  support  and  defence.     That  of  Great  Britain 
may  be  taken   as  a  favorable   example  of  the   European   govern 
ments.     The  people  of  that  kingdom   pay,  annually,  for  the  sup 
port  of  their  sovereign  and  his  relatives,   nearly  two  and  a   haL 
millions  o.f  dollars,  while  the  compensation  of  the  president  of  the 
United  States  is  but  twenty-five  thousand.     In  the  salaries  of  the 
subordinate  officers  of  government,  the  disproportion  is  not  so  great, 
but  is  generally,  nevertheless,  as  four  or  five  to  one. 

12.  The  military  peace  establishment  of  Great  Britain  costs  an 
Dimlly  thirty-four  millions  of  dollars;  that  of  the  United  States  but 
little    more    than   five   millions.     The    naval   establishment  of  the 
former  costs  twenty-two  millions;  that  of  the  latter  less  than  two 
a uxl.  a  lia.lt'  millions.     British  subjects   pay  in  taxes,  raised   exclu 
sively  for  national  purposes,  at  the  rate  of  fifteen  dollars  yearly  for 
each  individual ;  the  citizens  of  the  United  Stales  pay,  in  national 
and  state  taxes,  at  the  rate  of  but  two  dollar's.     And  as  the  whole 
population  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  is  included  in  <he  esti 
mate,  the  individual  wealth  of  the  subjects  of  the  united  kingdom, 
and  of  the  citizens  of  the  American  republic,,  may,  on  an  average, 
be  considered  nearly  equal. 

33.  With  burdens  thus  light,  not  embarrassed  by  too  much  re 
gulaticn,  nor  restricted  by  monopolies,  but  left  at.  liberty  to  pursue 
their  own  interests,  a,s  individual  judgment  may  dictate,  the  citi 
xens  of  the  republic  have  boldly  embarked  in  all  the  ordiuary 
pursuits  of  man  ;  and  in  all  have  met  with  a  degree  of  success, 
which  exhibits  a  favorable  and  forcible  commentary  upon  their 
free  institutions,  and  proves  that  no  other  people  surpass  them  in 
activity  or  enterprise. 

14.  In  the  pursuits  of  AGRICULTURE,  by  far  the  greatest  portion 
of  the    inhabitants   are    engaged;   and   for   that  employment  the 
country  is  most  favorably  situated.     It  embraces  every  desirable 
variety  of  climate.     The  soil  is  generally  good;  in  many  parts  of 
the  union,  it  is  exceedingly  fertile;  and  it  produces,  or  may  be 
made  to   produce,  almost  every  vegetable,  which   can   be   used  as 
the    food   of   man,   or    as    the    material    of  manufactures.      The 
northern  slates  produce  Indian  corn,  rye,  wheat,  flax,  hemp,  oats, 
potatoes;    and    their   pastures  feed    and   fatten    large  numbers  of 
cattle   and   sheep.     The    middle  and   western  states   produce  to 
bacco,  and  the  same  articles  as  the  northern,  but  wheat  in  much 
greater  abundance.     In.  the  southern  states^  cotton  is  principally 
cultivated,  but  considerable  quantities  of  rice  and  sugar  are  pro 
duced. 

15.  In  1820,  the  aqmber  of  persons  engaged  in  agriculture  was 
2.070,640.     The- value  of  all  Us  products  exported  during  the  year 
ending  the  30th  of  September,  1823,  was  37,646,000  dollars.     'The 
principal   articles  were,  cotto.o  to  the  value  of  20,445,000  dollars; 
flour  to  the  value  of  4,%2,GOO  dollars;  tobacco  to   the  value  oh 
4,852,000  dolhrs  ;:  »iid  rice  to  the  value  of  1,821,000  dollars.     The 
value  of  provisions,  of  ali   kinds  exported  was  13,460,000  dollars, 
and  it  has,,  vo.  maai.y  years,  been  greater.     A  people  able  to  spare- 


APPENDIX.  237 

such  an  amount  of  the  necessaries  of  life  can  never  be  in  danger 
Of  suffering  from  want. 

16.  The  agricultural  class  is  conspicuous  for  industry,  morality, 
and   general   intelligence,    but    has   less    professional    knowledge 
than    the    same   class    in    Europe.      Land    having    hitherto    been 
cheap,    and    not    exhausted    by    cultivation,  agriculturalists   have 
not  been  eager,  and  it  has  not  been  necessary,  to  make  practi 
cal  application  of  the  discoveries  of  science.     A  change  in  these 
respects   having    taken    place,  especially  in   the    Atlantic    states^ 
many  now  study  their  profession  as  a  science;  and,  as  all  profes 
sions   are    estimated   according   to  the  skill  and    intelligence    re* 
quired   to  attain   eminence  in   them,  they  are  raising  their  own. 
nearer  to  that  rank  in  society,  to  which  the  utility  and  import 
ance  of  agriculture  entitle  it.     More  taste  and  neatness  are  dis 
played,  and  the  appearance  of  the  'country  is  visibly  and  rapidly 
improving. 

17.  The  COMMERCE  of  the  United    States  has  yielded  a  rich 
harvest  of  wealth.     Various  circumstances  have  directed  to  this 
pursuit  the  attention  of  a  large  portion   of  the    population,  and 
have  contributed  to  their  prosperity  in  it.     For  two  thousand  miles, 
the  republic  bounds  upon  the  sea,   and  in  that  space   has  many 
excellent  harbors.     The  finest  timber  for  ship  building  is  abim* 
da nt,  and  easily  procured.     Near  the  chores  of  the  northern  states, 
and    on    the    adjacent  banks   of   Newfoundland,   are  fishing    sta 
tions,    unsurpassed    by    any   in     the    world.      Fishing    is   conse 
quently  a  lucrative  employment,  in  proportion  to  the  capital  in 
vested',  and  attracts  to  it  a  large   number  of  the  natives  of  those 
states.     These  become  accustomed  to  a  seafaring  life,  and  soon 
pass   into    larger  vessels,   destined   for  more  distant  and  perilous 
voyages. 

18.  The  state  of  the  world,  for  several  years  subsequent  to  the 
commencement  of  the  French  revolution,  offered  great  en  courage* 
mont  to  the  commercial  enterprise  of  the  country.     While  almost 
every  other  power  was  engaged   in  war,  the  United  States  were 
neutral ;  their  vessels  navigated  the  ocean  in  safety,  vn;d  were  em 
ployed  to  carry,  from  port  to  port,  the  commodities  of  the  bellige 
re  n't  nations.     In  fifteen  years,  beginning  with  1793,  these  favora 
ble  circumstances  increased  the  amount  of  American  tonnage  from 
4l.H, 000  to  1,242,000  tons,  and  the  revenue  arising  from  commerce 
from  4,399,000  to  16,363.000  dollars. 

19.  In  1820,  the  number  of  persons  engaged  in  commerce  was 
72,493.     In  1823,  the  whole    amount  of  exports  was  74,799,000 
dollars ;    the    amount    of   imports    was    77,579,000    dollar?,    the 
balance,   in  favor  of  the  United    States,  being  about  three    mil 
lions  of  dollars.     As   the   imports,    however,    are    always  under 
valued  at  the  custom-house,  the  additional  wealth,  which,  in  that 
year,   accrued    to   the    nation    from   commerce,   Was  undoubtedly 
greater. 

20.  In  other  years,  the  commerce  of  the  country  has  flourished 
more.     In  1807,' the  export?  amounted  to  108,343,000  dollars,  ;md 
the   imports  to   138,574,000  dollars.     The  principal  causes  of  the 
decline  which  has  taken  place,  have  been,  the  restoration  of  peace 


288  APPENDIX. 

in  Europe,  and  the  increase  of  the  product  of  domestic  manufac 
tures.  The  former  has  permitted  all  other  nation*  to  become  our 
competitors,  the  latter  has  rendered  it  unnecessary  to  resort  to 
Europe  for  most  of  the  conveniences  and  many  of  tfie  luxuries  of 
life.  The  depression  will  not  long  continue.  The  independence 
of  the  South  American  republics  lias  opened  a  wide  field  for  the 
enterprise  of  our  merchants,  and  given  a  brighter  hue  to  their  fu 
ture  prospects. 

21.  The  cou  FISHERY  on  the  north-eastern  coast  of  America 
attracted,  at  an  early  period,  the  attention  of  the  world.     In  1583, 
sir  Humphrey  Gilbert  found  thirty-six  vessels  fishing  in  the  harbor 
of  St.  John,  in  Newfoundland.     They  were  principally  from  Bis- 
cay,  in   Spain,  and   Britany  in   France,  and,  for  many  years,  the 
French  retained  almost  a  monopoly  of  this  source  of  wealth.     In 
1744,  they  employed,  in  this  fisher}',  414   large  ships,  navigated  by 
about  24,000  seamen,  and  the  quantity  of  fish  taken  amounted  to 
1,149,000  quintals. 

22.  The  war  of  1756,  expelling  the  French  from  the  continent, 
transferred  the  privileges  which  they  had  enjoyed  to  Great  Britain. 
The  English  colonies,  from  their  vicinity,  participated  largely  in 
them      In  the  year  1760,  six  hundred  and  sixty  vessels,  navigated 
6v  4,400  seamen,  were  fitted  out  from  the   ports  of  New  England. 
During  the  revolutionary  war,  the  Americans  were  compelled  to 
relinquish  this  profitable  pursuit;  audit      quired  all  the  firmnfai 
and   address  of  the  negotiators  of  (he  peace  of  178.3,  to  secure  10 
tht;se   slates  those    advantages    which    nature  seems  to    have  in 
tended  for  them,  and  which   they   had  enjoyed  as  a  component 
prxrt  of  the  British  empire.     They  were  at  length,  however,  not 
withstanding  the  covert  opposition   of  France,  conceded  by  the 
mother  country. 

23.  From  that  period,  till  1807,  the  number  of  vessels  and  men 
employed  in  this  pursuit  continued  to  increase.     An   estimate  has 
been   made  that,  from  1790  to  1810,  twelve  hundred  vessels  of  all 
kinds,   navigated  by  10,500  men  and  boys,  were,  on  an  average, 
yearly   employed    in    the    Bank,    Bay,    and    Labrador    fisheries; 
1,150,000  quintals  of  fish  were  caught  and  cured;  and  37,000  bar 
rels  of  oil  were  made.     The  annual  value  of  the  product  of  these 
fisheries  could  not  have  been  less  than  three  and  a  half  millions  of 
dollars.     They  were  interrupted  by  the  last  war  with  Great  Bri 
tain,  and  have  not  since  regained  their  former  activity.     As  nurse 
ries  of  seamen,   they  are  important   to  the  nation  ;   and   as  such 
have  Deceived  the  particular  attention  and  encouragement  of  go 
vernment.     A   bounty,   which    has,  in    some  years,   amounted  to 
200,000  dollars,  is  paid  to  the  owners  and  crews  of  the  vessel* 
employed. 

24.  "The  WHALE  FISHERY  of  the  United  States  ought  not  to  be 
passed  over  unnoticed.     Its  successful  prosecution  requires  uncom 
mon    hardihood  and  skill.     As  eaiiy  as   1690,  the  inhabitants  of 
Nantucket   engaged    in  this    pursuit,   and  were  soon  after  joined 
by  their  brethren  of  the  town  of  New  Bedford.     In  a  few  years 
these  monsters  of  the  deep  were  driven  from  the  American  coasts* 
but  were  pursued  with  ardor  into  seas  the  most  remote.     In  1715, 


APPENDIX.  289 

two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  tons;  in  1771,  twenty-seven  thou 
sand  tons;  in  1815,  forty-two  thousand  tons  of  shipping  were 
employed  in  this  business.  The  product  <<f  this  fishery,  ex 
ported  in  1807,  consisting  of  common  and  spermaceti  oil  and 
whalebone,  was  valued  at  G0(j,000  dollars;  in  1823,  at  653,000 
dollars. 

25.  An  extract  from  the  speech  of  Mr.  Burke,  delivered  in  the 
British  parliament,  in  1775,  presents,  in  eloquent  language,  a  cor 
rect  idea  of  the  importance  of  this  fishery,  and  of  the  enterprise 
and  dexterity  of  those  engaged  in  it.     uAs  to  the  wealth  which 
the  colonies  have  drawn  from  the  sea  by  their  fisheries,  yot«   had 
all  that  matter  fully  opened  at  your  bar.     You  snreiv  thought  those 
acquisitions  of  value ;  for  they  seemed  even  to  excite  your  envy; 
and  yet  the  spirit  by  which  that  enterprising  employment  has  been 
exercised,  ought  rather,  in  my  opinion,  to  have  raised  your  esteem 
and  admiration. 

26.  "  And  pray,  sir,  what  in  the  world  is  equal  to  it?     Pass  by 
the  other  parts,  and  look  at  the  manner  in  which  the  people  of 
New  England  have  of  late  carried  on  the  whale  fishery.     YVhHo 
we  follow  them  among  the  tumbling  mountains  of  ice,  and  behold 
them  penetrating  into  the  deepest  frozen  recesses  of  Hudson's  !/:iv 
and  Da  vis's  straits;  whilst  we  are  looking  for  them   beneath  the 
arctic  circle,  we  hear  that,  they  have   pierced   into   the  opposite 
region  of  polar  cold;  that  they  are  at.  the  antipodes,  and  .engaged 
under  the  frozen  serpent  of  the  south.     FVkhnd   Island,  which 
seemed  too  remote  and  romantic  ai:  object,  for  tl.e  grasp  of  national 
ambition,  is  but  a  stage  acid  resting  place  in  the  progress  of  their 
victorious  industry. 

27.  "Nor   is  the   equinoctial   heat   more  discouraging   to  (h^ia 
than  the  accumulated  winter  of  both  poles.     \W  know  that,  while 
some  of  them  draw  the  line  and  strike  the  harpoon  on  the  coast. 
of  Africa,  others  run  the  longitude  and  pursue  the  £i  <.>•;»  mic  game 
along  the  coast  of  Brazil.     No  sea  but  wh»t  5s  vexed   by    their 
fisheries.     No  climate   that  is  not  witness  to  their  toils.     Neither 
the  perseverance  of  Holland,  nor  the  activity  of  France,  nor  the 
dexterous  and   firm   sagacity  of  English  enter-prise,   ever  carried 
this  most  perilous   mode  of  hardy  industry  to  the   extent  to  which 
it  has  been  pushed  by  this  recent   people;  a  people  who  are  still, 
as  it  were,  but  in  the  gristle,  and   not  yet  hardened   into  (he  bone 
of  manhood. 

28.  "When!   contemplate  these  things;  when  I   know  that  the 
colonies  owe  little  or  nothing  to  any  care  of  our?,  ai"<  that  they  are 
not  squeezed  into  (his  happy  form  by  the  consii-ai.it  of  watchful 
and  suspicious  government,  but  that,  through  a  \\'is"  au<!  salutary 
neglect,  a  generous  nature  has  been  suffered  to  ink'1   its  own  way 
Jo  perfection;  when  I  reflect  upon  these  effects,  -vl  en   I  see  how 
profitable  they  have  been  to  us,  I TeH  ail  thf  prido  of  power  sink, 
mid  all  presumption  in  the  wisdom  of  human  contrivances  melt  and 
i lie  away  within  me.     My  rigor  relents.     I  pardon  something  to  the 
spii  it  of  liberty." 

29.  MANUKACTURKS.     While  the  United  States  wer*»  colonies, 
Ilitj  mother  country  endeavored  to  prevent  the  inhabitaiMH  iVom 

3d 


290  APPENDIX. 

manufacturing  any  article  whatever,  even  for  their  own  use.  The 
erection  of  sliiting-mills  was  prohibited,  and  li utters  were  forbidden 
to  take  any  apprentice  for  less  than  seven  years,  or  to  employ 
more  than  two  at  a  time.  In  addition  to  these  and  other  legisla 
tive  enactments,  the  wages  of  labor  were  high,  and  neither  skill 
nor  surplus  capital  existed  in  the  country.  But  little  attention  was 
of  course  given  to  manufactures,  and  the  inhabitants  received  their 
supplies  from  the  artisans  of  England. 

30.  Some  attempts  were  however  made,  a  few  years  previous 
to  me  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war,  to  introduce  ma 
nufactures.     Such  was  in  part  the  intention  of  the  non-importation 
agreements :    and   some   of  the   colonial    legislatures,    to   e.icou- 
rage  the  production  of  wool,  and  the  mannfacfire  of  cloths,  ex 
empted   sheep  from  taxation.     But,  at   no   time,  previous  to  the 
adoption  of  the  constitution,  did  manufacturers  exist  in  the  coun 
try  in  sufficient  number  to  be  considered  a  class  of  the  popula 
tion. 

31.  And  indeed  it  was  not  until  the  imposition  of  the  embargo, 
in  1807.  that  any  considerable  impulse  was  given  to  this  branch 
of  industry.     Prevented  by  this   interruption   of  commerce,  from 
exchanging   their   products   for  foreign   articles,   the   inhabitants 
then   attempted    to   fabricate    them   for    themselves.      From   the 
want  of  experience   and  skill,  many  of  the  first  attempts  were 
unsuccessful ;  but  in  a  very  short  time,  these  deficiencies  were 
supplied,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war,  the  amount  of  the  products 
of  manufactures  was  astonishingly  great.     Forming  an  estimate 
from  the  amount  in  1810,  which  was  near  170  millions,  it  could  not 
have  been  less,  for  1814,  than  two  hundred  millions  of  dollars.     In 
this  amount,  however,  are  included  the  products  of  household  ma 
nufactures,  and  of  the  mechanic  arts. 

32.  Peace,  by  affording  to  foreigners  an  opportunity  of  intro 
ducing  the  goods  which    had  accumulated   in  their  warehouses, 
checked,   for    a    few  years,   the    impulse   which    the    restrictive 
measures  and  the  war   had   given.     In  each    of  the  three  vears 
following  1815,  the  value  of  articles  manufactured  was  probably 
less  than  in  any  one  of  the  preceding  six  years.     From  the  year 
1818  the  amount  has  gradually  increased,  and  in  1821   and  1822, 
it  was  probably  greater  than  it  had  ever  before  been.     It  will  here 
after  continue  to   increase,  and  the  navigation  of  the  country  will 
be  employed,  not  so  much  in  bringing  home  the  manufactures  of 
other  nations,  as  in  earning  abroad   those  of  the   United  States. 
In  this  way,  domestic  manufactures  will  repay  to  commerce  the 
capital  they  have  lately  drawn  from  it. 

33.  The  states  in  which  the  greatest  attention  is  devoted  to  thi* 
branch   of  industry,  are  Rhode   Island,  Pennsylvania,  Massachu- 
oetts,  New   Hampshire,  and  Connecticut.     The  principal  manu 
factures  are  those  of  cotton  and  of  woollen  cloths,  of  iron,  and  of 
leather.     In  1820,  the  number  of  inhabitants  engaged  in  manufac 
tures  was  349,506. 

34.  The  question,  whether   agriculture,  commerce,   or   manu 
factures  is  most  productive  of  national  wealth,  and  to  which  the 
government  ought,  in    preference,  to  extend  its   protection   aad^ 


APPENDIX.  291 

encouragement,  has  lately  been  warmly  discussed,  by  the  poli- 
licians  and  writers  on  political  economy,  in  America,  and  in 
Europe.  Each  interest  has  had  its  advocates.  The  decision  of 
the  impartial  statesman  would  probably  be  that  neither  should  be 
encouraged  to  the  neglect  of  the  others;  that  if  either  is,  in  any 
degree,  to  be  preferred,  it  is  that  which  is,  at  the  time,  the 
most  depressed;  or  that,  which  supplies  most  of  the  means  of  na 
tional  defence,  and  most  of  the  necessaries  and  conveniences  of 
life. 

35,  DEBT,  REVENUE,  and  EXPENDITURES.  When,  in  1790, 
the  public  debt  was  first  funded,  it  amounted  to  about  75,000,000 
of  dollars.  In  1803,  by  tiie  purchase  of  Louisiana,  it  was  aug 
mented  to  about  85,500,000.  In  the  eight  years  which  followed, 
a  large  amount  was  paid,  leaving  due,  in  1812,  but  little  more 
than  45,000,000.  To  defray  the  expenses  of  the  war,  which 
was  declared  in  that  year,  more  than  80,000,000  of  new  debt 
was  contracted.  A  large  portion  has  since  been  paid,  and,  on 
the  first  day  of  January,  1823,  the  amount  of  it  was  90,865,877 


dolla. 


irorn  me  latter  source,  i,»u.5,ooi ;  ana  irjm  oiner  sources,  O.K;,UO<*. 
The  amount,  however,  which  was  actually  received,  during  the 
year,  was  but  20,232,427. 


year,  was  out  ^u,;*^-^' • 

37.  The  expenditures,  during  the  same  year,  were  as  follows: 
Civil,  diplomatic,  and  miscellaneous,  1,967,996;  for  the  pay  and 


Jiavy,  2,224,458;  for  the  payment  of  the  interest,  and  for  the  re 
demption  of  that  portion  of  the  principal  of  the  debt  which  be 
came  due  within  the  year,  7,848,949;  amounting  in  the  whole  to 
17,676,591,  and  leaving  an  excess  of  revenue  over  expenditure  of 
2,555,836  dollars. 

38.  EDUCATION.      In    the    kingdoms   of  Europe    large    sums 
have    been   appropriated,  by   the    government,  for  the    purposes 
of  education.     Nearly  all,  however,  has  been  expended  in  found 
ing   or  endowing  universities.      To  these  the    sons  of  the    noble 
and   the    rich    could   alone   gain   access;    and  the    intention    aiu^ 
effect  of  the  expenditure   has   always   been,  to    produce  erudite 
scholars  and  able  orators,  and  to    perpetuate  and   widen   the  se 
paration  between  the  higher  and  the  lower  classes  of  the  popula 
tion. 

39.  The   people   of  the   United    States  have    had   a  different 
object  in  view,  arad  one   more  congenial  with  their   political  in 
stitutions.      Desirous    that   none   should    be   ignorant,   their   first 
and   principal    care    has   been,  to  impart   the   advantages:   of  in- 
fitruetion  to  the  whole  mass  of  the   population.     With  this  view, 
the  legislatures  of  many  of  the  states  have  ordained  that  schools, 
fee   the    education   of   all    the    youth    in    reading,    writing   and 


2H2  APPENDIX. 

arithmetic,  shall  be  kept,  and  supported  by  a  public  and  generat 
tax. 

UK  Tin:"  system  was  adopted  in  Massachusetts  as  eany  as  1H47. 
A  law  was  then  passed,  by  tliat  colony,  providing  that"  a  school 
bhoitid  be  ke}>t  in  every  township  having  fifty  householder)*,  in 
which  all  the  children,  who  might  resort  to  itr  should  be  taught  to 
re;fd  and  write.  As  the  number  of  inhabitants  increased,  the 
townships  were  divided  into  small  districts,  and  a  school  supported 
in  each.  Thus,  the  means  of  education  were  provided*  at  the 
public  expense,  and  the  opportunity  of  acquiring  it  placed  within 
the  power  of  all. 

41.  Immediately  after  their  first  settlement,  the   same   system 
\vas  adopted  by  the  other  colonies  of  New  England  ;  and  il  hast 
by  all  n{  them,  been  preserved  and  cherished  to  the  present  lime. 
Connecticut,   having"  a    large   tract   of  land  in   Ohio,   which  was 
sold  for  [,200,000  dollars,  appropriated  the  whole  sum  to  the  SUJK 
port  of  common   or  primary  schools.     The  sum   has  since  been, 
augmented  to  1,700,000  dollars,  and  the  interest  is  annually  distri 
buted   to  the  several  school  districts  according  to  the   number  of 
scholars  taught  in  each.     No  district,  however,  is  entitled  to  any 
aid  from  this  fund,  unless  it  had,  in  the  preceding  year,  expended, 
for  the   same   purpose,  a  certain   amount  derived  from  its  own 
resources. 

42.  The  effect  of  this  system  lias  been,  to  render  the  great  body 
of  the  people  of  these  states  the  most  enlightened  in  the  world 
All  can  read  and  write,  and  rarely  can  one   be  found  not  qualified, 
by  education,  to  transact  the  common  concerns  of  life.     To  edu 
cate   his  children,   is  the  first  object,  and  the   chief  glory  of  the 
parent;  their  ignorance  is  to   him  and   to   them  disgraceful.     In 
these  schools,   the   human  mind  receives  its  first  impulse   MI  the 
career  of  learning  ;  an  impulse  which  carries  many  forward  to  high 
stations  of  honor  and  of  usefulness. 

43.  The  great  state  of  New  York,  distinguished  for  roagnifi 
cent,  projects  of  internal   improvement,  and  for   liberal  patronage 
of  literature  and  the  arts,  has  lately  adopted  a  system  nearly  sinii 
l;»r  to  that  of  Connecticut.     From  various  sources,  it  has  acctmm 
lated  a  fund,  the  income  of  which  ?s  to  be  applied  annually  to  the 
support   of  com-non   schools.     This  fund,   in   JC'20,   amounted    to 
1,215,000  dollars.     Since  that  vear,  all   the  unsold  and  unappro 
priated   lands,   which,  when  deposed  of,  will    probably   produce 
about  one   million  more,  have  been   permanently  devoted   to  the 
same  object.     The  annual   interest  of  this  fund  is  distributed,  ac 
cording   to    population,    among   the   several    townships,    on   their 
raising,   for   the  same    purpose,  an  additional    sum   equal  to  that 
•which  they  receive  from  the  state.     In  1821,  three  hundred  and 
thirty-three  thousand  children  were  tatis'ht,  in  the  several  district 
schools;  a  number  nearly  equal  to  that  of  all  the  children  in  the 
state  between  five  and  fifteen  years  of  age.     In  1823,  the   number 
taught  was  400,000. 

44.  Virginia  has  also   a    literary  fund,  the    interest    of  a    pnrt 
of  which    is   appropriated   to    the   support   of  common   schoolte. 
This  fund  is  of  recent  origin,  anil  its  income  is  yet  small.     Th« 


APPENDIX,  293 

*v&rantages  of  education  are,  however,  so  highly  appreciated  in 
that  state,  by  its  enlightened  dir/.ens,  that  most  of  die  rising 
generation  are  instructed  in  private  schools,  or  by  domestic 
teachers.  The  same  remark  will  apply  to  most  of  the  mid 
dle  ami  southern  states;  yet,  in  these,  too  many  of  the  chil 
dren  of  the  poor  will  remain  in  ignorance  until  effectual  pro 
vision  is  made,  by  the  respective  govenuwents,  for  the  instruction 
of  all. 


national    boundaries.      In  offering 


national  nounuaries.  in  onering  rnis  lanu  lor  sate,  u  nas  re 
served,  in  every  township,  one  section,  comprising  (MO  acres,  for 
the  use  of  school*.  As  the  population  of  the  new  states  becomes 
more  dense,  these  lands  will  constitute  a  valuable  and  productive 
fund,  and  the  system  of  free  schools,  thus  planted  in  the  western, 
will  there  produce  the  same  benefits  as  iw  the  eastern  portion  of 
the  union. 

46.  Schools  of  a  higher  order,  to  which  the  name  of  acade 
mies  has  been  applied,  are  numerous  in  all  tlie  slates,  especially 
in  those  of  New  Ei-.gland.  Many  are  incorporated,  and  some 
possess  considerable  funds.  That  at  Exeter,  i*i  New  Hamp 
shire,  holds  the  highest  rank;  its  fund?  amount  to  80,000  dol 
lars;  it  has  a  library  containing  700  volumes,  and  a  handsome 


taugut  Hy  those  who  have  just  received  a  degree  *n  the  arts, 
and  who  are  unable,  from  the  want  of  property,  to  engage  im- 
inedmteily  in  the  study  of  tke  professions  which  they  intend  to 
pursue. 

47.  Of  colleges  and  universities  there  is  also  a  large  !»u«iber  in- 
the  United  States.  The  oldest  and  first  in  rank  is  "Harvard  Col 
lege,  at  Cambridge,  Massachusetts.  It  was  established  lit  1633, 


.  , 

learned  presidents  and  professors,  has,  with  short  intermissions, 
feeen  constantly  advancing  in  reputation,  and  increasing  in  use 
fulness.  The  library  contains  about  twenty-five  thousand  volumes. 
In  1824,  the  faculty  consisted  of  a  president  and  twenty  profes 
sors;  the  number  of  students  was  222,  aatl  of  the  resident  gra 
duates  146. 

48.    Yale  College  was  founded  in  1700,  and  incorporated   in 
SuTjQL     It  was  first  established   at   Savbruok :  but,  in   1716,  waa 
f)%* 


294  APPENDIX. 

removed  to  Nev/  Haven,  m  Connecticut.  Elihu  Tale,  a  mer 
chant  in  London,  having  mado  to  it  a  donation  of  more  than 
four  thousand  dollars,  its  name  vas,  in  1718,  changed  from  the 
ColJegiate  School,  to  Yule  Oo-liege.  Afterwards  bishop  Berke- 
lev,  the  celebrated  metaphysician,  who  had  resided  two  years 
in  America,  presented  Jo  it  a  collection  of  book?,  consisting 
of  nearly  one  thousand  volumes;  and  a  farm  in  Newport,  the 
annual  rent  of  which,  on  a  long  lease,  is  two  hundred  and  forty 
bushels  of  wheat.  From  the  state,  and  from  other  sources, 
it  has  received  many  liberal  donations.  Its  libraries  contain 
about  nine  thousand  volumes.  In  18:24,  the  faculty  consisted  of  a 
president  and  eleven-  professors,  and  the  number  of  its  students 
was  341). 

49.  in  addition  to  these,  there  are,  in  the  union,  about  fifty  col 
leges  and  universities  authorized  to  confer  decrees,    [n  all  of  these 
are  taught  the   English,  Latin,  and  Greek  languages,  rhetoric,  ma 
thematics,  natural  philosophy,  logic,  chemistry,  astronomy,  history, 
and   geography.     Ln  some  of  them  are  ai'so  taught  the   Hebrew,. 
oriental,  and  modern  European  languages;  anatomy,  surgery,  me- 
dicintr,  botany,  polite  literature,  divinity,  ethics,  natural  and  muni 
cipal  law,  politics,  and  elocution. 

50.  LITERATURE;      The    remark    has   often    been    made,   thai 
the  United   States  have  produced  no  eminent  scholars;  and  that 
the   national   character  has  not.    been    illustrated    by  literary  and 
scientific   performances  of  distinguished  merit.    This  remark    is 
doubtless  just.     Compared    with    those   of  the   old    world,    their 
v/rit^rs    hr.ve    not   exhibited   the    same    labored    polish    of   style,, 
nor  their  men  of  science  the  same  perseverance  and  extent  of 
investigation.     Their  hisionans  are  not  equal   to    Hume  or   Ro 
bertson;  therr  poets  to  Milton  or  Pope;  their  chemists  to   Lavoi 
sier  or  Davy ;  nor  their  metaphysicians  to  Locke,  Berkeley,  or 
Ileid. 

51.  But  this  foot  implies  no  deficiency  of  mental  vigor  in  the 
people.     The  mind  of  the  nation-  has  received,  fro?n  efreui&stances> 
a  different  direction.     Those  who   are  endued  with  extraordinary 
talent,  whatever  may  have  been  their  original  propensities,   h-ive 
been  called  from  the   closet  to    labor   in  the  legislative   hall,   or 
the  cabinet;  to  vindicate  the  cause  or  defend  the  interest  of  their 
country  abroad;  to  dispense  justice  from  the  bench,  or  to  support 
and  defend,  at  the  bar,  the  claims  and  the  rights  o4"  their  felibw- 
citizeng, 

5'2.  To  perform  these  duties,  certainly  not  less  honorable  noF 
less  difficult  than  any  thing  which  the  mere  scholar  can  perform,. 
a  greater  Variety  of  talents,  and  greater  intellectual  labor,  have 
been  required  ia  this  than  in  any  other  country*  Here,  in  com 
paratively  a  short  period,  the  foundations  have  been  laid,  and  the 
.superstructures  erected,  of  new  political  institutions.  Many  go- 
vernmeuis  have  been  established  over  communities  differing  from 
each  other,  and  from  those  of  Europe;  and  over  these  a  para 
mount  government,  with  extensive  and  import:-.. it  powers.  For 
each  of  these  communities,  a  new  system  or  law  has  been  re 
quired,  and  each  government  has  a  separate  executive,  iegiat 


APPENDIX.  2S5 

ktive,  and  judicial  department.  The  population  of  no  country 
has  been  called  upon  to  supply  such  a  number  of  legislators,  or 
judges,  and  of  lawyers  ;  nor.  it  may  be  added,  of  instructors  of 
youth.  And,  while  their  nuinbe"  accounts  for  the  comparative 
neglect  of  literature  and  the  fine  arts,  the  talents  they  have  dis 
played  sufficiently  vindicate  the  republic  from  the  reproach  of  in 
tellectual  inferiority. 

53.  But  not  in  these  modes  alone  have  the   people  of  these 
states  jwoved,   that  in  original   powers  of  mind   they  may  assert 
an    equality,    at    least,    with   thoae   of  any    other   nation.      None 
has  made   more   important  discoveries  in   the  useful  arts.     Eng 
land   boasts  of  her   Arkwrigbt,  who    invented    the   spinning;  ma 
chine;  of  her  Worcester,  Nevvcornen,  and  Watt,  by  whose  inge 
nuity  and  labors   the  powers  of  steam  were   substituted   for  the 
uncertain  aid  of  wind  and  water  in  moving  the  machinery  of  ma 
nufactories. 

54.  America   may  boast   of  her  Godfrey,  whose   quadrant  has 
been  almost  as  serviceable  as  the  compass  to   navigation;  of  her 
Franklin,  who    has  made  our  dwellings  comfortable   within,  and 
protected  them  from  the   lightning  of  heavrn  ;   of  her  Whitney, 
whose  cotton  gin   h;is  added  to  the  annual  product  of  that  article 
at  least  one   hundred  millions  of  pounds;  of  her  Whittemore,  the 
inventor  of  the  wonderful  machine  for  making  cards;  of  her  Per 
kins,  the  inventor  of  the   nail  machine;   and  of  her  Fulton,  who 
has  rendered  the  power  of  steam  subservient  to  the   purposes  of 
navigation. 

55.  But  the  United  States  have  produced  authors  who  would 
do   honor  even  to  any  other  nation.     The  style  of  Franklin   is 
perspicuous  and  pure;  and  few  men  of  any  age  or  country  have 
contributed  more,  by  their  writings,   to  enlighten  and  to  benefit 
mankind.      The   histories   of  Marshall,    Ramsay,  Belknap,   Wil 
liams,   and  the  Annals  of  Holmes,   are  works  of  sterling  merit, 
interesting    and    instructive.      Among    theological    writers,    Ed 
wards,  Hopkins,  Dwight,  Lathrop,  l)avies,  Kollock,  and  Buck- 
minster,  are  deservedly  eminent.     And  as  a  novelist,  Brown  has 
few  equals. 

56.  Many  of  the  political  writers  of  this  country  have  displayed 
g*reat  vigor  of  thought  and  force  of  expression.     The   pamphlets 
and  state  papers  to  which   the   revolutionary  struggle  gave  exist 
ence  ;  the  numbers  of  the  Federalist;  the  official   letters  of  Mr. 
Jefferson,  as  secretary  of  state,  and  of  the  American  ministers  at 
Ghent,  not  only  display  intellectual  powers,  but  possess  literary 
merit,  of  the  highest  order.     Some  of  the  best  writers  of  this  re 
public  have  not  been  the  authors  of  books. 

57.  To  the  fine  arts*  still   less  attention   has  been  paid  than   to 
literature ;  but  the  neglect  is  to  be  attributed  rather  to  the  defi 
ciency  of  patronage  than  to  the  want  of  capacity  to  excel.     Ben 
jamin  West,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  presided  for  many  years 
over   the   Royal  Society,  comprising   the   most  eminent  painters 
of  Great  Britain.     In   portraJt-painlmg,  Copley  and  Stuart  have 
acquired  a  high   reputation  ;  and  in  'historical   painting,  Trumbull 
and  Alston  excel.     The  United  States  claim  only  the  honor  ot 


296  APPENDIX. 

their  birth;  England  and  Italy  that  of  patronizing  and  instructing 
them. 

58.  RELIGION.      Tlie    consequences    resulting    from  the    en 
joyment  of  religious   liberty   have   been   highly  favorable.     Fvee 
discussion   has  enlightened  the   ignorant,  disarmed  superstition  of 
its  dreadful   powers,   and   consigned  to  oblivion    many  erroneous 
and  fantastic   creeds.      Religious    oppression   and    the    vindictive 
feelings   it  arouses   are    hardly   known.      Catholics   and    Protes 
tants    live   together  in    harmony;   and   Protestants  who  disagree, 
employ,    in    defending    their    own    doctrines,    and    in    assailing 
those  of  their  antagonists,  the  weapons  only  of  reason  and  elo 
quence. 

59.  In  the  New  England  states,  the  Independents  or  Congrega- 
tionalists  constitute  the  most  numerous  denomination  :  in  the  mid 
dle  states,  the  Presbyterians;  and  in  the  southern,  the  Methodists. 
Baptists,  Episcopalians,  and  Roman  Catholics,  are  found  in  all  the 
states;   but  in  Maryland  and  Louisiana,  the  Catholics  are  more 
numerous  than  elsewhere.     Each  of  these  seets  has  one  or  more 
seminaries  of  learning,  in  which   it*  peculiar  doctrines  are  taught, 
and  young  men  are  educated  for  the  ministry.     Many  other  sects 
exist,  but  reason,  less  tolerant  than  the  laws,  is  gradually  diminish 
ing  the  number. 

60.  CHARACTER  AND    MANNERS.     Foreigners   have    asserted 
that  the  Americans  possess  no  national  character.     If  at  any  pe 
riod  this  assertion  has  been  true,  it  was  then  no  reproach.     In  its 
youth,  a  nation  can  have  no  established  character.     The  inhabit 
ants  of  this  republic,   coming  from  every  quarter  of  the   world, 
speaking  many  different  languages,  dispersed  over  a  vast  extent  of 
territory,  could  not  immediately  assimilate   and  exhibit  those  few 
prominent  traits,  which  nations,  as  well  as  individuals,  in  their 
maturity,  display. 

61.  But  the  crerrn  of  a  national  character  has  always  existed.     It 
lias  grown  with  our  growth,  and    is  gradually  throwing  into  the 
shade  those   unfavorable  and  discordant  traits,   which  have  disfi 
gured  and  partly  concealed  it  from  view.     Who,  that  has  read  the 
history  of  these  states,  has   not  perceived,  in   the  inhabitants,  an 
energy  of  purpose  capable  of  surmounting  all  obstacles;  a  spirit  of 
enterprise,  that  leaves  nothing  useful  nnatternpted  ;  a  proud  sense 
of  personal  dignity  and  independence;   a  decided   preference  of 
utility  before  show;  and  a  love  of  knowledge  that  has  dispelled 
ignorance  from  the  land  ?     They  may  have  been  too  much  devoted 
to  the   pursuit  of  gain  ;  too  much   addicted  to  habits  of  intempe 
rance ;  too  much   inflated   with   national  vanity;   bigoted  and  su 
perstitious:  but  these  traits  are  now  less  apparent:  they  are  con 
stantly  melting  away,  and  those  more  noble  appearing  in  bolder 
relief. 

62.  They  whose  wealth  or  talents  place  them  in  the  first  rank 
in  society,  are,  in  their  manners,  free  from  awkwardness,  formality, 
haughtiness,  and  ostentation  ;  but  they  do  not  display  the  elegance 
or  refinement  of  the  same  class  in  Europe.     The  mass  of  the  peo 
ple  are  serious,  shrewd,  inquisitive,  manly,  and  generally  respec'- 
ltd*  but  they  know  little,  and  practise  less,  of  the  ceremonies  of 


APPENDIX.  297 

formal  politeness.  To  foreigners,  accustomed  to  the  servility  of 
the  lower  classes  in  Eurooe.  tliev  doubtless  aooear  •>ou«rli  and 
uncouriiv.  ana  manv  lasmoname  tourists  mwv  nnv*»  naa  tneir 
feelings  needlessly  wounded,  and  tlieir  delicacy  shocked  ;  but  when 
respectfully  treated,  they  display  native  politeness  and  generosity 
of  sentiment.  'I  hue  will  remove  the  grosser  defects;  but  may 
it  never,  by  polishing  too  deeply,  impair  that  strength  of  cha 
racter  which  is  essential  to  the  permanence  of  our  republican  in 
bti  Unions. 


63.  A  review  of  the  rapid  progress  of  the  United  States  in  popu 
lation,  wealth  and  power;  a  survey  of  their  present  physical  and 
moral  condition  ;  and  a  comparison  of  them,  in  either  respect,  with 
other  nations,  cannot  fail  to  icive  to  an  American  citizen  an  ele 
vated  conception  of  his  own  country,  and  to  justify  the  loftiest  an 
ticipations  of  the  future. 

61.  In  a  period  of  thirty  years,  ending  with  1820,  the  population 
of  the  republic  increased  from  8,893,835,  to  9,i»42,13Q ;  it  conse 
quently  doubles  in  less  than  twenty-five  years.  In  Great  Britain 
the  population  does  not  double  in  less  than  eighty  years;  and  in 
that  country  the  increase  is  nearly,  if  not  quite,  as  rapid  as  in  any 
other  country  in  Europe. 

65.  The  augmentation  of  wealth  and  power  cannot  be  so  easily 
ascertained*     tt  is  the  opinion  of  many,  well  qualified  to  judge,  that 
it  has  been  still  more  rapid;  and  when  the  increase  of  our  exports, 
which   in  the  same  period  advanced  from   nineteen  to  sixty-five 
millions;  when  the  growth  of  our  cities  and  villages;  the  increase 
of  our  manufacturing  establishments,  of  our  national  arid  mercan 
tile  navy,  of  our  fortifications  and  other  means  of  defence;  the 
extent  of  our  internal  improvements;  and,  beyond  all,  the  extensive 
territories  reclaimed  from  a  state  of  nature  and  made  productive 
and   valuable,  are  adverted  to,  that  opinion   will  not  appear  un 
founded  nor  extravagant. 

66.  Although    now  inferior   to   the    principal    nations  of  the 
old   world,  yet  but  a  short   period  will   elapse  before   the  United 
States,  should  their  progress  hereafter  be  the  same  that   it  has 
been,    will    overtake   and    pass   them.     Their  great    natural    ad 
vantages  will  continue  to  unje   them   forward.     Extensive  tracts 
of  fertile    land   yet   remain   vacant   of  inhabitants;   the   portions 
already  settled  are   capable  of  supporting   a  much  more   nume 
rous  population ;    new   roads   and    new  canals    will    give   srreater 
activity   to  internal    commerce,  and  open    new  fields   to  the  un 
tiring  industry  and  enterprise  of  man  ;  and,  a  small  part  only  being 
required    by   the    government,    nearly  the    whole   annual    income 
will  be  added  to  the  general  capital,  augmenting  it  in  a  compound 
ratio. 

67.  That    thene   splendid    anticipations    are    not    the    sugges 
tions    of    national    vanity,    the    history    of   the    past    sufficiently 
proves.      Yet  their  fulfilment  depends,  in  a  great   degree,   upon 
the    future   conduct   of  the    people   themselves ;    upon    their   ad 
herence   to   the   principles  of  their  fathers;    upon  the   preserva- 


298  APPENDIX. 

tion  of  free  political  institutions,  of  industrious,  frugal,  ajw} 
moral  habits;  and,  above  all,  upon  the  universal  diffusion  of 
knowledge. 

68.  Tliis  truth  should  sink  deep  in  the  hearts  of  the  old  and 
the  young.  The  citizens  of  this  republic  should  never  forget 
the  awful  responsibilities  resting  upon  them.  They  constitute 
the  oldest  nation  on  this  western  hemisphere,  the  first  on  the 
list  of  existing  republics.  They  stand  forward,  the  object  ol 
hatred  to  some,  of  admiration  to  many,  of  wonder  to  all;  and 
an  impressive  example  lo  the  people  of  every  country.  To 
them  is  committed  an  experiment,  successful  hitherto,  the  final 
result  of  which  must  have  a  powerful  influence  upon  the  des 
tiny  of  mankind;  if  favorable  and  happy,  the  whole  civilized 
world  will  be  free;  if  adverse,  despotism  and  darkness  will 
again  overshadow  it.  May  they  ever  be  sensible  of  the  vast  im 
portance  of  their  example.  May  they  never  betray  their  sacred 
tenet. 


QUESTIONS 

TO 

HALE'S  HISTORY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 


Os.P?. 

1  7  Was  the  coctiient  of  America  known  to  the  ancients  ? 

2  —  What  was  the  object  of  the  voyages  of  discovery  made  in  the  15tfc 

century 7 
3 —  Who  was  a  distinguished  navigator  of  that  age  1 

4  —  Where  was  he  born  7 

5  —  Wiiat  incidents  led  him  to  think  that  he  could  reach  th,j  Enat  liidioa 

by  sailing  west  7 

6  8  To  whom  did  he  apply  for  assistance  7  % 

7  —  Who  became  his  friend  and  patron  7 

8  —  When  did  he  set  sail  7     From  what  port  7 

9  —  What  course  did  lie  steer  7 

10  —  What  phenomenon  was  first  observed  during  his  voyage  t 

11  «  Mow  did  his  crews  behave  7     What  did  they  threaten  to  do  ! 
(2  —  How  did  ne  appease  them  ? 

13  -  When  was  hind  discovered  7 

14  «0  What  other  islands  did  he  discover  and  visit! 

15  —  How  was  he  received  on  his  return  1 

16  -  Who  first  discovered  the  continent  1     When  7 

17  11  Upon  what  did  the  English  found  their  claim  to  the  eastern  portioa 

of  North  America  7 

18  —  From  whom  does  the  continent  derive  its  name  ? 

19  —  Who  is  supposed  to  have  entered  the  harbor  of  New  York  t 
iO  —  What  induced  Coligni  to  attempt  a  settlement  in  America  1 

21  —  What  was  the  result  7 

22  12  By  whom  was  the  second  attempt  made  7    When  7    Where  t 

23  —  Was  it  fortunate  7 

24  13  On  what  occasion  was  the  spirit  of  adventure  revived  1 

25  —  Who  most  encouraged  the  scheme  of  colonization  7 

26  14  What  companies  were  formed  7 

27  —  What  territory  was  granted  to  each  7 

28  —  What  privileges  were  secured  to  the  emigrants  t 

29  —  When  was  Quebec  settled  7     By  whom  7 

CHAPTER  I. 

30  15  By  what  company  was  Virginia  settled  7 

31  —  How  many  persons  were  sent  over  7 

32  —  What  distinguished  man  was  ainonjg  them? 

33  —  Relate  the  principal  events  of  his  liie. 

34  16  When  did  the  adventurers  land  7     At  what  place  t 

35  —  Who  was  elected  president  7     Who  was  excluded  7 

36  —  What  waa  the  character  of  the  aboriginal  inhabitant*  1 

37  17  What  happened  to  captain  Smith  7 

38  —  Bv  whom  was  he  preserved  from  death  7 

39  —  While  absent,  to  what  number  hud  the  actUers  been  reduced  f 

40  18  How  many  came  with  Newport  7 

41  —  How  did  Smith  employ  hinuseli'7 

\ 


QUESTIONS. 

Os.Pp 

42  18  Was  he  chosen  president  7 

43  19  Relate  what  afterwards  occurred  7 

44  —  What  induced  Smith  to  return  to  England  ? 

45  —  What  was  the  consequence  7 

46  20  Who  were  successively  appointed  governors  7 

47  —  For  what  purpose  was  Pocahontas  taken  'I 

48  —  What  is  related  concerning  her  7 

49  21  What  was  the  object  of  Argal's  expedition  in  1G13  t 

50  —  What  did  he  accomplish  7 

51  —  What  instructions  were  given  by  king  James  7 
5-2  —  When  did  governor  Yeardly  arrive  7 

53  —  What  did  he  do  which  gave  joy  to  the  people  7 

54  22  In  what  state  was  the  colony  at  this  period  7 

55  23  What  misfortune  happened  to  it  7 

50  —  How  much  was  the  number  of  settlers  reduced  1 

57  —  Did  the  Virginians  depose  Harvey  7 

58  —  What  did  kin?  Charles  do  7 

59  —  Who  succeeded  Harvey  7 

60 —  Whom  did  the  Virginians  favor,  the  king  or  parliament  t 

61  24  What  did  the  parliament  do  7 

62  —  What  did  the  Virginians  do  on  the  death  of  Matthews  ? 
63—  Why  were  the  people  disaffected  7 

64  —  Who  was  the  leader  of  the  insurgents  7 

65  25  Relate  the  incidents  of  the  rebellion. 

66'  23  What  was  the  conduct  of  Berkeley  towards  the  rebels  7 

67 —  What,  was  the  population  in  16881 

68 —  How  was  the  colony  governed  7 

69  —  What  course  did  the  representatives  pursue  in  relation  to  Blares  ? 

CHAPTER  II. 

70  26  To  what  company  was  Massachusetts  granted  7 

71  27  When  were  the  first  men  sent  over  iet'l  1 

72  —  When  and  why  did  they  return  to  England  7 

73  —  By  whom  was  the  coast  of  Massachusetts  surveyed  7 

74 — In  that  age   what  was   the   maxim   of  all   ecclesiastics   and   poll 
ticians  7 

75  28  What  causes  induced   Mr.  Robinson's  congregation   to  remove  to 

Holland  7 

76  —  To  what  company  did  they  apply  for  a  grant  of  land  7 

77  —  To  what  part  were  they  curried  7 

78  —  What  did  they  do  before  leaving  th 

79  _  When  did  they  hind  7 

fcO  29  How  many  perished  during  the  winter  7 
81  _  What  was  the  settlement  called  7 
£2  _  What  was  the  population  in  1630  7 

83  —  What  directed  the  attention  of  other?  to  New  England  7 

84  —  What  association  was  formed  in  16277 

85  —  Of  what  company  did  they  obtain  a  grant  7 

86  —  Where  did  the-p<:ople  they  sent,  out  bind  1 

87  —  What  were  the  provisions  of  the  charter  they  obtained  7 

88  30  What  town  was  next  settled  7 

89  —  What  was  the  first  object  of  their  attention  7 

90  —  What  number  perfslted  before  spring  ? 

91  __  At  what  time  was  Boston  temiBed  7 

92  31  What  distinguished  ladv  fell  a  victim  7 

93  —  How  many  perished  before  December  7 

94  —  What  was  one  great  object,  of  the  puritans  7 
Of*  —  What  ordinance  was  passed  in  1631  ? 

%  _  Were  the  Indians  numerous,  at  that  time,  in  New  England? 
97  32  When  were  representatives  first  choaeu  7 


QUESTIONS.  1 

Q*.  Pg. 

W  32  Who  was  banished  from  Salem  1    For  what,  cause  t 
90  —  What,  distinguished  emigrants  came  in  1035? 

100  —  Relate  their  history. 

101  33  Who  were  detained  by  king  Charles  ? 

102  —  What  was  the  cause  of  the  first  war  with  the  Indians  ! 

103  34  With  what  tribe  was  it  carried  on  ? 

104  —  Which  party  was  victorious  ? 

105  35  What  cause  put  a  stop  to  emigration  1 

106  —  In  what  year  did  the  colonies  form  a  league  ? 

107  36  What  is  said  concerning  the  representatives  and  assistants* 

108—  Which  did  New  England  favor,  the  king  or  parliament? 

109 —  Wiiat  propositions  d:d  Cromwell  make  to  the  colonies  ? 

110 — When    was    New    Hampshire   incorporated   with   Massachusetts  1 
When  was  Maine  ? 

111  37  What  law  was  made  against  Quakers? 

112  —  What  distinguished  individuals  ciuiie  to  New  England  about  thia 

time  ? 

113  —  How  were  they  received  ?     Where  did  they  reside  ? 

114  39  What  law  was  enacted  by  England  in  1663  ? 

115  —  What  measure  was  adopted  by  the  king  in  1664  ? 
110  —  What  was  the  conduct  of  the  commissioners  ? 

117  40  How  many  towns  and  inhabitants  did  New  England  contain  at  the 

end  of  50  years  from  the  settlement  of  Plymouth  ? 

118  —  What  were  the  causes  of  Philip's  war  ? 

119  41  Where  were  the  first  acts  of  hostility  committed  ? 

120  —  Did  the  colonies  suffer  much  injury  from  the  savages  1 

121  —  Fn  what  manner  was  the.  war  carried  on  ? 

122  42  What  wan  the  result  of  the  great  battle  fought  December  18  « 

123  —  What  feelings  did  Philip  exhibit  ? 
12-4  —  What  was  his  fate  ? 

125  43  What  losses  were  sustained  in  this  war  ? 

126 —  Wrhen  was  New  Hampshire  made  a  separate  colony  1 

127  —  For  what  purpose  was  Edward  Randolph  sent  over  7 

128  —  What,  was  done  in  relation  to  the  charter  1 

129  44  What  was  the  character  and  conduct  of  Androsn  ? 

130  —  How  did  the  people  treat  Andross  and  his  adherents  7 

131  45  What  was  the  result  of  the  expedition  to  Canada  1 

132  —  How  did  Massachusetts  pay  her  troops  ? 

133  —  What  were  the  provisions  of  the  new  charter  ? 

134  —  Who  was  the  first  governor  under  the  new  charter? 

135 —  What  distinguished  the  commencement  of  his  administration  t 

136  46  What  causes  produced  the  delusion  ? 

137 —  How  many  charged  with  witchcraft  were  executed? 

138  47  What  law  was  passed  at  the  first  session  "? 

139  —  What  war  existed  at  this  period  ? 

140  —  When  was  Deerfield  attacked  ? 

141  —  How  many  were  killed  and  made  prisoners  1 

142  48  Who  were  among  the  prisoners  ? 

143  —  How  were  they  treated  ? 

144  —  What  was  the  Indian  mode  of  warfare  ? 

145  —  What  expedition  was  fitted  out  in  1707  ? 

146  —  What  in  1710  ?     What  was  accomplished  t 

147  —  What  expedition  was  fitted  out  in  171 11 

148  49  What  misfortune  occurred  to  the  fleet? 

149  —  What  was  the  event  of  the  expedition  ? 
J5W  —  When  was  peace  concluded  ? 

151  —  What  was  the  effect  of  this  war  upon  New  England  ! 
152 —  Who  was  appointed  governor  in  1716? 

153  50  What  question  agitated  the  people  when  he  arrived  1 

154  —  VVhat  act  of  his  displeased  the  assembly  ? 

155  50  Whose  conduct  did  the  people  approve  J 

156  —  VVhat  vote  was  passed  respecting  the  governor'^  salary  ? 


QUESTIONS. 
.. 

157  —  What  instructions  did  the  king  give  1 

158  —  Did  the  assembly  comply  1 

359  —  What  steps  did  the  governor  take  7 

160  51  Who  was  the  next  governor  1 

161  —  What  took  place  between  him  and  the  assembly  1 
162 —  How  was  the  controversy  suspended  1 

163  52  Who  succeeded  governor  Burnett  7 

164  —  How  was  the  long  controversy  terminated  7 

165  —  Who  was  appointed  governor  in  1740  7 

166  —  What  event  occurred  in  1744  7 

167  —  From  what  port  were  privateers  fitted  out? 

168  —  What  expedition  was  concerted  in  1745  7 

169  —  By  whom  was  it  proposed  1 

171)  53  Did  the  General  Court  in  the  end  agree  to  it  7 

171  —  What  colonies  furnished  assistance  7 

172  —  What  naval  force  co-operated  7 

173  54  What  fortunate  events  occurred  7 

174  —  What  was  the  result  of  the  expedition  7 

175  55  What  measure  did  France  adopt  the  next  summer  1 
176 —  At  what  time  was  peace  concluded  1 

177  —  What  were  the  terms  of  this  peace  7 

178  —  What  became  of  the  bills  of  credit  7 

CHAPTER  III. 

1/9  55  Which  was  the  parent  of  the  New  England  colonies  ? 
IK)  —  To  whom  were  the  first  grants  made  in  New  Hampshire  t 

181  56  When  were  the  first  settlements  made  7     Where  7 

182  —  When  was  the  first  house  built  at  Portsmouth  7 

183  •—  Of  whom  did  Wheelwright  purchase  land  7 
J84  __  What  town  did  he  found  7 

185 —  When  was  civil  government  established  in  Dover,  Portsinc  «rv   inO 

Exeter  7 

]86  _  What  steps  did  these  towns  take  in  1641  7 
187 —  Of  whom  did  the  emigrants  purchase  lands  7 
1K8 —  What  settlements  suffered  in  Philip's  war  7 
1H9 —  When  was  New  Hampshire  made  a  separate  province  t 

190  —  What  law  was  passed  in  1680  7 

191  57  What  disputes  arose  on  the  arrival  of  Mason  7 

192  — 'Who  was  appointed  governor  after  Andross  was  depo»v4? 
193 —  Did  this  colony  sutler  much  from  Indian  wars  7 

194  —  What  town  was  surprised  in  UidU  7 

195  —  Give  an  account  of  that  event. 

196  58  In  what  year  was  Londonderry  settled  7     By  whom  * 
]<)•;  —  What  di'd  they  introduce  7 

198  59  Why  did  J.  T'.  Mason  claim  the  lands  of  his  ancestors 

199  —  To  whom  did  lw,  convey  them  7 

200  —  What  did  they  do  to  silence  opposition  7 

201  —  How  were  the  Masonian  lands  granted  7 

CHAPTER  IV. 

20?  59  To  whom  wns  Connecticut  first  granted  7 

203  —  How  far  westward  did  the  grant  extend  7 

204  —  By  whom  was  a  fort  erected  at  Hartford  7 

205  —  By  whom  was  a  trading  house  erected  at  Windsor  1 

206  60  By  whom  were  Weathertfield  am1.  Windsor  nettlf-d  7 

207  —  For  what  purpose  did  Winthrop  corne  from  England  T 
203  60  Did  the  Dutch  attempt  to  molest  him  7 


QUESTIONS. 

909—  What  persons  laid  the  foundation  of  Hartford  ? 

210  —  Whose  authority  did  the  tirst  emigrants  acknowledge  ? 

211  —  When  did  the  fret-men  form  a  constitution  7 

212  —  State  the  substance  of  this  constitution. 

213  61  By  whom  was  Saybrook  settled  ?     Whence  the  name  ? 

214  —  What  did  Femviek  transfer  to  the  General  Court  7 

215  —  By  what  persons  was  New  Haven  founded  7 

216  —  Was  it  a  distinct  colony  7 

217  —  By  what,  laws  were  they  first  governed  7 
21862  With  whom  had  both  colonies  disputes? 
211)  —  How  was  piirtition  made  in  Iu7>07 

220  —  Did  the  Dutch  continue  friendly  7 

221  —  What  did  Connecticut  propose  to  the  confederacy? 

222  —  What  was  the  conduct  of  Massachusetts  7 

223  63  What  did  Cromwell  do  ? 

224  —  Did  the  inhabitants  obtain  a  charter  7 

225  —  What  territory  did  it  tonnprehend  7 

226  —  Did  New  Haven  willingly  consent  to  a  union  7 

227  —  When  were  the  two  colonies  united  7 

228  6*4  What    circumstances    occurred    when     Andross    demanded    th* 

charter  7 

229  —  Did  Connecticut  retain  her  charter  7 

2:'-()  Go  What  demaitd  did  Fletcher  make  of  Connecticut  7 

231  —  How  was  he  treated  7 

2^2  —  When  was  Yale  College  founded  7 

233  —  When  was  Saybrook  platform  adopted  7 

rru  _  What  did  this  platform  relate  to  7 

235  GO  What  cause  tended  to  preserve  the  peace  of  Connecticut  ? 

CHAPTER  V. 

230  G6  When  was  Rhode  Island  settled  7     By  whom  ? 
2.'?7  —  Why  was  he  banished  from  Massachusetts  7 
238  —  What  did  he  call  the  place  where  he  settled  ? 

'  23i*  —  What  regulations  did  he  adopt  7 
o4(,  _  who  repaired  to  Rhode  Island  in  1G38  7 

241  67  Did  Rhode  Island  apply  to  be  admitted  into  the  league  7 

242  —  What  was  the  decision  of  the  commissioners  7 

243  —  Did  Rhode  Island  consent  to  the  terms  7 
244—  When  was  the  first  general  assembly  held  7 
245  —  When  did  the  colony  obtain  a  charter  7 
24G —  What  were  the  provisions  of  this  charter  7 

247  —  What  law  w;is  passed  relative  to  the  Quakers  7 

248 —  What  secured  the  colony  exemption  from  Indian  hostility? 

249  —  What  was  the  population  in  1720  7     In  1761  7 

250 —  When  was  Blown  university  founded? 

CHAPTER  VI. 

251  GS  By  whom  was  New  York  discovered  7     When  ? 

252  —  In  what  service  did  Hudson  c:ail  7 

253  —  By  whom  and  when  wa«  a  fort  erected  near  Albany,  and  trading 

houses  at  New  York  7 

254  —  What  was  Albany  then  called  7     What  was  New  York  7 

255  —  What  event  occurred  soon  after  7 

25G —  When  and  where  was  fort  Amsterdam  erected  7 

257  —  To  what  company  did  the  republic  of  Holland  make  a  grant? 

258  —  How  far  did  the  grant  extend  7 

259  —  What  was  the  territory  called  7 


6  QUESTIONS. 

ds.  Pg. 

2GO  —  Where  did  the  Dutch  erect  forts  in  1G237 
*?f>i  68  W;VU  y.-horn  .lid  »his  produce  quarrel*  ? 

262  —  When  did  war  break  out  between  the  Dutch  and  Indians  ? 

263  09  Who  commanded  the  Dutch  troops  ? 
2<>4  —  In  what  place  was  a  battle  fought  7 

•205  —  Who  agreed  on  a  line  of  partition  between  the  Dutch  and  En* 

lish? 
266  —  To  whom  did  the  king  of  England  grant  New  York  7 

207  —  What  measure  was  thereupon  taken  7 

208  —  Did  the  expedition  sent  out  succeed  7 

269  —  What  names  were  changed  7 

270  —  Who  assumed  the  government  of  the  country  1 

271  —  When  wan  New  York  made  a  city  7 
27-2  70  What  event  happened  in  1673  ? 

273  —  How  long  did  the  Dutch  retain  possession  7 

274  —  Whom  did  the  duke  of  York  appoint  governor  7 

275  —  To  what  religious  sect  did  both  belong  7 
Q76  _  W!«en  was  the  first  assembly  held  7 

277  —  By  what  people  was  the  interior  of  New  York  inhabited  7 

278  —  Of  whom  were  they  the  allies  7 

279  —  Who  led  an  army  against  them  7 

280  71  What  was  he  obliged  to  do  7 

281  —  What  Indian  chief  addressed  the  French  governor  7 

282  —  Rucite  his  speech. 

283  72  What  effect  had  this  speech  on  the  French  governor  7 

284  —  Why  was  the  duke  of  York  disliked  when  he  became  king  1 

285  —  What  encouraged  the  disaffected  7 

286  73  What  measures  did  Leisler  and  Milborne  undertake  7 

287  —  What  did  Bayard  and  Courtlandt  do  7 

288  —  What  authority  did  Leisler  assume  7     Why  7 

289  74  What  did  Milborne  effect  7 

290  —  What  parties  were  despatched  against  the  English  7 

291  —  Describe  the  attack  of  Scheneetady. 

292  75  What  was  done  to  avenge  these  barbarities? 

.293  —  To  what  was  the  failure  of  the  expedition  attributed. 

294  —  Whom  did  king  William  appoint  governor  7 

295  —  What  was  the  character  of  this  governor  7 

•29(5  —  What  sentence  was  passed  on  Leisler  ami  Milborne  7 

297  70  What  was  ifheir  fate  7 

298  —  By  whom  were  the  French  settlements  attacked  7 

299  —  Who  was1  appointed  governor  in  1692  7 

300  —  What  object  was  he  desirous  of  effecting  7 

"301  —  What  took  .place  in  consequence  of  his  recommendation  1 

302  77  When  was  the  earl  of  Bellamont  appointed  governor  7 

303  —  In  what  measure  did  ht<  engage  7 

304  —  Relate  the  conduct  and  fate  ot  captain  Kid. 

305  —  Into  what  parties  were  the  people  divided  7 

306  —  When  was  lord  Cornbury  appointed  governor  7 

307  —  What  were  his  parentage  and  character  7 

308  —  In  what  manner  did  he  behave  7 

309  78  What  followed  hi*  removal  from  office  7 
,810  —  What  resolution  was  passed  7 

311  —  In  what  year  did  governor  Hunter  arrive  7 

312  —  What  pe'ople  came  with  him  7 

313  —  What  is  the  character  of  their  descendants  7 

314  —  What  dispute  arose  'between  the  house  and  council  7 
•315  _  What  enterprise  was  projected  iu  1709  7    In  1711  7 

316  79  What  WHB  the  result  of  the  latter  1 

317  —  Did  the  people  justify  their  representatives  7 

318  —  State  the  progress  and  termination  of  the  dispute  between  the  hotUMI 

and  council. 

319  —  Who  Hucceodcxl  governor  Hunter  7 


QUESTIONS. 

.. 

320  79  What  projects  had  tho  French  then  in  view  ? 

321  —  What  did' governor  Burnet  do  to  defeat  it  7 

322  80  When  was  the  Assembly,  elected  in  1710,  dissolved  7 

323 —  What  tort  lid  the  French  erect  while  Van  Dam  was  governor  1 

3-24  —  Who  succeeded  Van  Darn  7 

325  —  What  prosecution  was  instigated  by  governor  Cos!/y  1 

320  —  What,  honor  was  conferred  on  one  of  his  defenders  1 

327 —  When  was  Clark  appointed  lieutenant-governor  7 

32881  What  dispute  was  revived  between  him  and  the  Assembly1? 

329  —  Which  party  was  tjjnmphant  at  the  next  election  ? 

330  —  Recite  the  uddrecs  of  the  house  to  the  governor. 

331  —  What  did  he  suv  in  his  next  speech  7 

332  82  What  resolve  did  the  house  pass  ? 

333  —  What  plot  was  supposed  to  be  concerted  Jibout  this  time  1 

334  —  What  WHS  the  supposed  object  of  the  plot  1 

335  —  How  many  were  burned  7  '  Hung  1     Transported  7 
330  83  What  clidVhirk  allude  to  in  his  speech  7 

337  —  When  was  George  Clinton  appointed  governor  7 

338  —  What  happened  in  1745  ? 

339  —  When  did  peace  take  place  1 

CHAPTER  VII. 

340  84  Bv  whom  was  New  Jersey  settled  7     When  ?     Where  1 

341  —  When  ;md  where  did  the  Swedes  and  Finns  settle  7 
&2  —  What  happened  in  1055  ? 

343  —  What  territory  did  the  Dutch  possess  7 

344  —  How  was  it  taken  from  them  7 

345  85  To  whom  was  it  conveyed  7 

340  —  To  whom  did  the  duke  convey  New  Jersey  7 

347  —  Why  was  it  so  called  7 

348  —  Who  was  the  first  governor  7 

349  —  What,  was  the  origin  of  the  dispute.*  that  arose  ? 

350  —  Did  the  people  revolt  7     Did  they  submit  7 

351  —  To  whom  did  Berkeley  dispose  of  his  right? 

352  —  Who  were  appointed  trustees  to  sell  it  7 

353  —  What  partition  was  agreed  on  7 

354  —  Was  a  new  patent  granted  to  the  duke  7 

355  80  On  what  did  Andross  insist  7 
350  —  What  did  he  do  7 

357  —  Recite  the  address  to  the  commissioners. 

358  —  What  was  their  decision  7 

359  87  To  whom  was  East  Jei<ev  transferred  in  16827 

360  —  Who  was  appointed  governor  over  it.  7 

361  —  Bv  whom  were  the  Jerseys  reunited  7 
3(52  —  When  was  Princeton  Coflege  founded  7 
3twi  -  What  was  then  the  number  of  inhabitants  7 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

3f»4  87  Bv  whom  was  Delaware  first  settled  7 
365  88  What  did  they  call  the  country  7 
36(5  —  Where  did  they  seat  themselves  7 
367  —  Why  and  where  did  they  build  forts  7 

308  —  Where  did  the  Dutch  build  a  fort  7 

309  —  In  what  manner  did  the  Swedes  gain  possession  oFit  ? 

370  —  What  course  did  governor  Stuyvesant  pursue  7 

371  —  flow  long  did  the  Dutch  retain  possession  7 

372  —  What  purchases  did  William  Penn  make  7 
373 —  What  name  was  given  to  the  tracts  purchased  7 

2G* 


QUESTIONS. 


3±  86  To 


;  w'mt  colony  weie  u.ov  uuueu  i 

375  —  When  tlid  a  separation  take  piace  7 

CHAPTER  IX. 

376  89  Who  was  the  founder  of  Pennsylvania  7 

377  —  To  what  religious  sect  did  he  belong  7 

378  —  Why  was  the  country  granted  to  him  7 

379  —  At  what  price  was  land  sold  7 

380  —  At  what  rate  was  it  rented  7 

381  —  In  what  year  did  the  settlers  leave  England  7 

382  90  What  position  did  they  select  for  a  settlement  ? 

383  —  What  was  the  object  of  Penn's  frame  of  government  ? 

384  —  What  people,  and  how  many,  did  he  find  upon  the  "  territories  ?M 

385  —  Where  was  the  first  assembly  held  7 
:386  —  What  city  did  Penn  found  7 

387  91  For  what  qualities  are  the  Pennsylvanians  distinguished  7 

388  —  What  parly  did  Penn  adhere  to  at  the  time  of  the  English  reroltt 

tion  7 

389  —  How  was  he  treated  7 

390  92  Did  he  regain  the  favor  of  the  king  7 

391  —  When  did  he  again  visit  Pennsylvania? 

392  —  What  took  place  in  1701  7 

393  —  Flow  was  the  executive  authority  afterwards  administered  ? 

394  —  What  caused  the  most  irritation  7 

395  —  Did  the  colony  prosper  7 

396 —  What  took  place  at  the  commeucement  of  the  revolution  1 

397  —  What  sum  was  paid  in  discharge  of  quit-reuts  7 

CHAPTER  X. 

398  93  By  whom  was  Maryland  founded  7 
'399  —  To  what  religious  sect  did  he, belong? 

400  —  After  whom  was  the  colony  named  7 

401  —  Who  was  appointed  the  first  governor  7 

402  —  When  did  the  first  settlers  arrive  7     Where  ? 

403  —  What  land  did  they  purchase  7 

404  —  What  circumstances  favored  the  rapid  population  of  the  colonj  ? 

405  94  When  and  how  was  a  house  of  assembly  formed  7 

406  —  What  alteration  was  made  in  1630  7 

407 —  What  fact  is  honorable  to  lord  Baltimore  and  his  associates  ? 

408  —  What  disturbance  was  produced  7     By  whom  7 

409  95  What  was  the  result  of  the  disturbances  7 

410 —  What  ordinance  was  passed  by  the  victorious  party  7 

411  — What  was  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  1660? 

412  —  When  did  lord  Baltimore  die  7 

413  —  What  was  his  character  7 

414  _  What  occurred  in  1689  7 

415  96  What  directions  did  king  WifUam  give  7 

416  —  When  was  the  proprietor  restored  to  his  rights  7 

417  —  What  occurred  at  the  commencement  of  the  revolution  7 

CHAPTER  XI. 

418  96  What  territory  was  granted,  in  1630,  to  Sir  Robert  TTeath  7 

419  —  Bv  what  person*  was  a  settlement  formed  north  of  Albemarle  sound  t 

420  —  What  settlement  was  n.ade  in  1661  7     By  whom  7 

421  97  What  grant  was  made  in  1GU3  7 

422  —  What  assurances  were  given  to  emigrants  7 


QUESTIONS.  i 

"Qa.Pjf. 

4'2o  J,  wno  prepared  a  constitution  tor  me  coionv  •* 

424  —  What  were  tne  provisions  ot  tins  constitution  ? 

425  —  Was  it  acceptable  to  the  inhabitants  ? 
42G  —  Wliat  settlement  was  made  in  1670  1 

427 —  In  which  of  the  Carolinas,  as  now  divided,  was  it  made? 
4BS  98  Wliat  was  the  character  and  conduct  of  So.th  Sothel  ? 
4:29  —  When  was  the  constitution  of  Locke  abrogated  J 
41)0 —  How  were  the  two  provinces  afterwards  governed? 

431  —  What  emigrants  came  in  1707  ?     In  1710  7 

432  _  What  calamity  fell  upon  them  ? 

4.33  99  Whither  did  the  Tuscaroras  emigrate  1 

434  —  What  proceedings  took  place  in  1729? 

435  —  In  what  part  of  North  Carolina  did  the  settlements  increase  most 

rapidly  ? 

CHAPTER  XII. 

436  100  When  was  the  first  settlement  made  at  Port  Royal  ? 

437  —  When  was  old  Charleston  founded  ? 

438  —  When  did  the  freemen  elect  representatives  ? 

439  —  When  did  they  meet  to  elect  them  ? 

440  —  Whence  did  emigrants  come  1 

441  —  When  was  the  present  city  of  Charleston  founded  ? 

442  —  What  did   the   proprietors   direct  in   regard  to  the   French  Pro 

testants? 

443  —  Was  opposition  made  ?     By  whom  ? 

444  101  What  did  these  Protestants  do  1 

445  —  Why  was  John  Archdale  sent  over  ? 

446  —  What  did  he  effect  ? 

447  —  What  did  Granville  and  Moore  attempt? 

448  —  What  law  was  passed  ? 

449  102  What  was  the  conduct  of  the  lords  and  the  qtieen  ? 

450  —  What  expeditions  were  undertaken  in  1702  ? 

451  —  What  occurred  in  1706?     What  in  1715  ? 

452  103  What  sufferings  were  -occasioned  by  the  war  with  the  Indians? 

453  —  What  measure  did  the  assembly  adopt? 

454  —  What  emigrants  were  induced  to  come  ? 

455  —  What  was  their  fate  ? 

456  104  What  occurred  in  1719? 

457  —  How  was  the  government  afterwards  administered  ? 

458  —  What  occurred  in  17:*  ? 

459  105  Was  the  insurrection  quelled  ? 

460  —  From  what  countries  did  emigrants  come  ? 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

461  105  Where  is  Georgia  situated  ? 

462  —  What,  project  was  concerted  in  1732? 

463  —  To  whom  was  Georgia  granied  ? 

464  106  What  regulations  did  the  Trustees  provide  ? 

465  —  When  did  the  first  emigrants  embark  ? 

466  —  Who  was  placed  at  their  head  ? 

467  —  What  was  the  conduct  of  the  Carolinians  ? 

468  —  How  many  emigrants  came  the  next  year  ? 

469  —  What  was  the  character  of  these  emigrants  ? 

470  —  What  offer  was  made  to  induce  a  different  class  to  emigrate? 

471  —  Where  did  the  Germans  settle  ?     Where  the  Scotch  ? 

472  —  Who  made  a  visit  to  Georgia  in  17IJ6  ? 

473  —  What  was  his  object  ? 

474  —  Who  came  two  voors  aftwwa.rO*  ? 


10  QUESTIONS. 

QS.  Pp. 

475  107  Tn  17-10,  how  many  emigrants  had  arrived  7 

476  —  What  was  the  amount  of  benefactions  1 

477  —  What  expedition  did  general  Ogluthorpe  undertake  7 

478  —  Was  it  successful  7 

479  —  What  afterwards  occurred  7 

480  108  What  event  occurred  when  Oglethorpe  was  marching  to  attack 

the  Spaniards  7 

481  —  What  expedient  did  he  devise  7 
4*2  109  How  did  the  invasion  end  7 

483  110  What  occurred  in  1754  1 

484  —  What  products  were  cultivated  7 


110  In  what  year  was  the  treaty  between  France  and  England  con 

eluded,  which  restored  tranquillity  to  America  1 
—  What  was  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  thirteen  colonies  at 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

485  110  In 

486         _  ,..„ 

that  period  ? 

487  —  Where  were  the  English  settlements  7     Where  the  French  7 

488  —  What  design  had  the  French  in  view  7 

489  —  What  did  the  company  of  English  traders  do  1 

490  —  What  was  the  conduct  of  the  French  1 

491  111  Whom  did  governor  Dinwiddie  send  as  messenger  to  the  French 

commander? 

492  — What  course  did  governor  Dinwiddie  take  on  receiving  the  an 

swer  ? 

493  —  What  was  the  result  of  Washington's  expedition  7 

494  —  When  was  the  Albany  plan  of  union  formed  7 

495  —  What  did  this  plan  provide  7 

496-112  Why  was  it  rejected  in  England  7     Why  in  America  ? 

497  —  What  expeditions  were  resolved  upon  in  1755  7 

498  —  Relate  the  object  and  result  of  ihe  expedition  to  Nova  Scotia. 

499  —  Who  commanded  the  expedition  against  fort  Du  Q.uosne  7 

500  113  What  was  the  result  of  the  expedition  7 

501  114  Who  commanded  the  expedition  against  Niagara  7 

502  -  Was  he  successful  7 

503  115  Who  commanded  the  expedition  a?ninst  Crown  Point  1 

504  —  Relate  what  happened  to  this  expedition. 

505  11C  Was  it  abandoned  7 

500    —  What  expeditions  were  proposed  the  next  year  7 

507  —  Why  was  Massachusetts  disgusted  7     Mow  appeased  7 

508  J.]7  Who  was  appointed  to  succeed  Shirley  1 

509  —  H;ul  war  been  declared  between  France  and  England  7 

510  —  Who  was  appointed  commander-in-chief  7 

511  —  What  post  did  general  Muntcalm  take  7 

512  118  What  had  been  accomplished  hi  this  campaign  7 

513  —  To  what  did  the  ministry  direct  the  attention  of  lord  Loudon  7 

514  —  Did  he  effect  the  objectl 

515  119  With  what  force  did  Montcnlm  besiege  fort  William  Henry  7 

516  —  Where  is  that  fort  situated  7 

517  —  Who  was  sent  to  command  it  7 

518  —  Relate  the  circumstances  and  result  of  the  siege. 

519  120  WJiat  effect  had  these  disasters  upon  the  British  nation  7 

520  —  Whom  did  ihe  king  appoint  prime  minister  7 

521  —  What  expeditions  were  determined  on  for  the  next  campaign  7 

522  121  Who  commanded  that  against  Louisburg  7 

523  —  Who  served  under  him  ? 

524  —  How  did  the  siege  terminate  7 

525  —  What  was  the  result  of  the  attack  on  Ticonderoga  7 

526  —  What  fort  did  colonel  Bradst.met  capture  7 

527  122  Who  commanded  the  expedition  against  Du  Quesne  1 


QUESTIONS.  U 

IK.  P?. 

$#*  122  What  .lisnsrer  occurred  to  it  7 

MW    —  Was  it  successful  ? 

530    —  Where  was  the  fort  situated  ? 

Sfll    —  What  watf  the  plan  of  the  nev*  campaign  7 

332    —  What  was  the  event  of  the  expeuition  against,  Niagara  ! 

&33  123  What  success  did  general  Amherst  meet  with  7 

534  —  Who  commanded  the  expedition  agiiinst  Quebec  1 

535  —  What  was  the  condition  of  that  place  ? 

536  —  When  and  where  did  Wolfe  land  his  army  7 

537  —  Where  does  Quebec  stand  1 

538  124  Where  did  a  battle  take  place  7     What  the  event  7 

539  —  What  .plan  did  Wolfe  then  form  ? 

540  125  In  what  manner  did  he  gain  the  heights  of  Abraham  7 

541  _  VVhat  did  Montcalm  then  do  7 

542  —  What  was  the  fate  of  Wolfe  ?     Of  Moatcalm  7 

543  126  What  was  the  consequence  of  the  battle  ? 

544  —  When  was  peace  concluded  7 

345    What  did  France  cede  to  Great,  Britain  7 

CHAPTER  XV. 

S4fi  12G  How  much  was  added  to  the  debt  of  England,  in  the  late  war  t 

547  —  Whence  did  her  legislators  seek  assistance  ? 

548  127  What  relation  was  supposed  to  exist  between  the  mother  country 

and  her  colonies  7 

549  —  What  restrictions  had  Great  Britain  imposed  7 

550  —  VVhat  law  was  enacted  in  1764  1 

551  —  What  resolution  was  proposed  ? 

552  —  In  what,  courts  were  penalties  to  be  recovered  7 

553  —  What,  measures  did  the  colonies  adopt  7 

554  128  Recite  the  8th  and  9th  sections. 

555  129  When  was  the  stamp-act  proposed  ? 

556  —  What  language  was  used  in  supporting  it  7 

558  —  Recite  Col.  Barre's  speech. 

559  130  Did  the  bill  pass  7 

559    —  What  took  place  in  Virginia  when  the  news  arrived  7 
5(50  131  What  resolve  was  passed  in  Massachusetts  7 

561  —  WThat  was  the  name  of  th»  associations  formed  in  New  England  ? 

562  —  What  occurred  in  Boston  7     What  in  Newport? 

563  132  How  did  the  citizens  of  New  York  conduct  7 

564  —  What  title  did  they  give  to  the  stamp-act  7 

565  —  When  did  the  Congress  assemble  7 

566  —  What  were  the  proceedings  of  this  Congress  7 

567  —  What  agreements  were  adopted  7 

568  133  What  was  proposed  in  rtie  British  parliament? 

569  _  What  did  Mr.  Grenville  say  7 

570  —  Recite  William  Pitt's  speech. 

571  134  What  were  the  proceedings  of  parliament  7 

572  135  Why  were  the  people  of  New  England  and  New  York  still  diseati*- 

fied? 

573  For  what  cause  was  the  assembly  of  New  York  suspended  7 

574  —  What  measure  was  adopted  in  June,  1767? 

575  —  What  course  did  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  pursue  ? 

576  —  How  were  they  punished  7 

577  —  What  measures  were  then  adopted  in  Massachusetts  7 

578  136  What  step  was  taken  by  general  Gage  ? 

579  i37  State  what  resolutions  had  been  adopted  in  parliament. 

580  — What  resolutions  were  adopted  in  Virginia  7 
5H1    —  What  did  the  governor  do  1 

382    —  Whatthnn  en»u»d  7 


12  QUESTIONS. 

Qs.PS. 

58;?  137  State  what  occurred  in  State-street,  Boston  1 

584  138  To  what  place  were  the  troops  removed  ? 

585  —  What  trials  took  place  7 
58f>  —  Who  defended  the  accused  1 

587  —  We'ro  they  convicted  7 

588  139  What  measure  did  parliament  adopt  ? 

589  —  What  alteration  was  made  in  the  non-importation  agreements? 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

590  139  What  causes  contributed  to  increase  the  discontent  which  pre 

viously  existed  in  Massachusetts  7 

591  140  Bv  whom  were  committees  of  correspondence  recommended? 

592  —  What  was  the  object  nnd  what  the  effect  of  then  7 

593  —  What  letters  did  Dr.  Franklin  obtain  and  send  over? 

594  —  What  effect  did  these  letters  have  7 

595  —  What  measure  did  the  East  India  Company  adopt? 

596  —  What  was  done  in  Philadelphia  and  New  fork  7 

597  141  What  was  the  state  of  public  feeling  in  Boston? 

598  —  What  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  citizens  ? 

599  —  What  proceedings  followed  7 

600  —  Recite  Josiah  <4ui;.c.y's  speech. 
60)  142  What  was  done  with"  the  tea  7 

602  —  What  acts  were  passed  by  parliament  7 

603  143  How  was  the  first  day  of  June  observed  in  Virginia  ? 

604  —  What  spirit  was  displayed  by  the  citizens  of  Salem  7 

605  —  Wliiat  was  recommended  by  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  7 

606  144  When  did  the  delegates  meet  7 

607  —  What  resolutions  did  they  adopt  7 

608  —  What  effect  had  their  proceedings  on  public  sentiment  abroad  ? 

609  145  Recite  Mr.  Pitt's  speech. 

610  —  Bv  what  names  were  the  Americans  distinguished? 

611  140  What  measures  did  governor  Gage  adopt  ? 

612  —  When  did  a  provincial  Congress  meet  7 

613  —  What  conciliatory  proposition  was  adopted  in  parliament? 

614  —  Did  the  Americans  accept  it,  7    ' 

615  147  When  did  the  battle  of  Lexington  take  place? 

616  148  What  was  the  result  7     What  tire  effect  7 

617  —  What  expedition  was  p'riectt'd  in  Connecticut  ? 

618  149  By  whom  was  it  execute,'  i 

619  —  What  posts  were  taken  7 

620  —  What  British  generals  arrived  in  June  ? 

621  —  What  proclamation  was  issued  7 

622  150  Why  did  the  provincials  rosolvc  to  occupy  Bunker  Hill  ? 

623  —  Who  commanded  the  provincial  troops  7 

624  —  On  what  day  was  the  battle  fought  7 
6-25  151  Relate  the  principal  events  of  the  battle. 

620  152  How  many  Americans  were  killed  and  wounded  ? 
6-27    —  How  many  British  7 

628  —  Did  the  result  dispirit  the  Americans  7 

629  —  What  eminent  man  was  killed  7 

030    —  What  measures  were  adopted  by  the  continental  Congress  ? 

631  —  Who  was  chosen  Commander-in-chief  1 

632  153  What  other  officers  were  chosen  7 

633  —  What  mode  was  adopted  to  defray  expenses? 

634  —  What  declaration  was  issued  7 

635  —  Recite  the  extracts  inserted. 

630  154  To  what  place  did  Washington  repair  ? 

637  —  How  numerous  did  he  find  the  army  ? 

638  155  What  occurred  in  Virginia  7 


QUESTIONS.  13 

6:59  155  What  in  North  Carolina  7 

640  15(5  What  in  South  Carolina  7     What  in  Georgia  7 

(341    —  What  HI  JNew  York  1     Who  was  much;  governor  there  7 

(542    —  What  resolution,  referring  to  him,  WHS  passed  by  Congress  7 

643    —  Wliat  was  done  and  projected  in  1775  ? 

6-J4  157  What  was  done  in  New'Hatnpshire  1 

615    —  What  transactions  occurred  in  October  1 

64!)  158  How  was  the  new  army  to  he  raised  7 

647  — How  many  enlisted  7    • 

648  —  What  works  were  erected  in  March  7 

649  159  What  did  general  Howe  attempt? 

650  —  Failing  in  this,  what  did  he  then  determine  1 

651  —  When  was  Boston  evacuated  7 

652  —  To  what  place  did  the  American  army  proceed  1 

653  —  Whither  did  the  British  fleet  steer  7 

CHAPTER  XVll. 

654  159  How  many  expeditions  were  despatched  against  Canada? 

655  —  What  did  governor  Carleton  do  ? 
650  160  Who  proceeded  in  advance  ?     Why  7 

657  —  On  whom  did  the  chief  command  devolve  7 

658  —  What  did  colonels  Allen  and  Brown  attempt  7 
a^9    —  What  was  the  fate  of  Allen  7 

660  161  What  fortunate  event  occurred  in  October  7 

661  —  What  olher  victory  was  achieved  ? 

662  —  When  was  St.  John's  surrendered  7 

6(53    - —  To  what  place  did  Montgomery  then  repair  7 

6(54  1()2  With  how  many  men  did  he  begin  his  march  to  I  uebec  t 

665  —  Who  commanded  the  other  "xpeditioe  7 

666  —  How  many  did  it  consist  of  7 

667  —  Describe  their  route. 

608    —  Were  their  suffering's  great  7 

669  163  When  did  they  arrive  at  the  French  *3ttlements  • 

670  —  When  did  Ire  cross  the  river  7 

671  —  Where  did  he  encamp  7 

672  —  When  did  Montgomery  arrive  7 

673  —  To  what  did  their  united  force  amount  7 

674  lf>4  How  strong  were  the  enemy  ? 

S75    —  What  did  the  general  first  determine  7 

676  —  What  disease  broke  out  in  the  camp  ? 

677  —  What  was  proposed  and  resolved  upon  7 

678  105  When  was  the  city  assaulted  ? 

679  —  What  disastrous  event  occurred  7 
CeO    —  What  happened  to  Arnold  7 

681  —  Who  assumed  the  command  7 

682  166  How  did  the  attack  terminate  7 

683  —  What  was  the  amount  of  the  American  lose  7 

684  —  Where  was  Montgomery's  monument  placed  7 
6H5  167  How  far  from  tho  city  did  Arnold  encamp  7 

680  —  When  did  general  Thomas  arrive  from  Ro.xbury  1 

687  —  What  was  then  done  7  ' 

688  —  To  what  place  did  the  Americans  retreat1 

689  168  What  occurred  at  the  Cedars  7 

690  —  Who  succeeded  general  Thomas  7 

691  —  Of  how  many  did  his  army  consist  7 
69?    —  How  strong  was  the  enemy  7 

64J3   —  Where  did  Sullivan  halt  7 


14 


QUESTIONS. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Qs.Ps;. 

694  169  What  reply  was  made  when  the  last  petition  was  presented  to  tin 

king? 

695  —  What  treaties  were  made  with  German  princes  7 

696  —  What  expedition  was  despatched  in  1776  ? 

697  —  Who  was  appointed  commander  of  the  Brit  sh  naval  forces  7 

698  —  What  preparations  were  made  at  Charlesto  i  ? 

699  170  Relate  what  occurred  in  the  attack  on  Sulli  'ari's  Island. 

700  —  What  was  the  effect  of  this  battle  ? 

701  171  What  able  pamphlet,  was  published  at  this  t  me  ? 

702  172  Who  proposed,  in  Congress,  a  declaration  of  independence  1 

703  —  Who  seconded  the  motion  ? 

704  —  Who  were  the  committee  appointed  to  prepare  it  7 

705  —  On  what  day  was  it  adopted  ? 
700    —  Recite  the  17th  section. 

707  173  What  was  done  at  New  York  7 

708  —  How  was  the  American  army  posted  7 

709  —  Where  did  the  British  troops"  first  land  7 

710  —  How  were  the  two  armies  posted  on  Long  Island  7 

711  174  Describe  the  battle  which  took  place. 

712  —  Which  gained  the  victory  ? 

713  __    Whither  did  Washington  retreat? 

714  175  Where  did  he  take  po.st  in  September  7 

715  —  What,  did  the  enemy  then  do  ? 

716  —  What  calamity  hap'penert  to  the  eity  7 

717  _  What  plan  of  warfare  did  Washing-ton  adopt  7 

718  —  To  what  place  did  he  next  repair  I 

719  —  What  was  the  result  of  the  battle  there  fought* 

720  —  What  fort  was  attacked  ? 

721  —  Where  was  it  situated  ? 

722  176  Which  gained  tho  victory 

723  —  What  then  followed  ? 

724  —  What  proclamation  was  issued  ? 

725  —  To  what  place  did  Congress  remove  7 

72(5  177  With  what  power  did  they  invest  Washington? 

727  —  What  happened  to  general  Lee  ? 

728  —  What  was  the  behavior  of  the  British  7 

729  —  What  brilliant  victory  was  achieved  ? 

730  178  What  other  exploit  was  performed  7 

731  —  Who  was  among  the  wounded  ? 

732  _  What  followed  7 

733  —  What  effect  had  these  victories  7 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


734  179  What  spirit  did  Congress  exhibit  7 

735  —  What  measures  did  they  take  ? 

736  —  Who  were  sent  commissioners  to  France  7 

737  —  What  did  the  F'ench  ministry  permit? 

738  —  Of  what  value  were  the  prizes  made  by  American  privatewt  I 

739  180  What  distinguished  Frenchman  joined  the  Americans  7 

740  —  What  appointment  did  he  receive  ? 

741  —  How  were  the  American  prisoners  treated  7 

742  181  To  what  place  did  Howe  transport  his  troops  7 

743  —  Whither  did  Washington  march  ? 

744  —  Which  gained  the  victory  at  Brandywine  creek  7 

745  —  What  officer  was  wounded  ? 

746  —  To  what  place  did  Washington  eventually  retreat  t 
t47   —  When  did  Howe  enter  Philadelphia  1 


QUESTIONS.  IS 

Qs.Pe. 

748  182  What  was  the  result  of  the  battle  on  lake  Chafnplain  t 

749  —  What  expedition  was  concerted  in  the  winter? 

750  —  By  whcni  was  it  to  be  commanded  ? 

751  —  What  American  commanded  the  northern  department  t 

752  183  To  what  place  did  Burgoyne  despatch  Si.  Leger  ? 

753  — When  did  lie  appear  before  Ticonderoga  1 

754  —  What  was  the  nurnher  of  his  army  ? 

755  —  When  was  Ticonderoga  evacuated  1 

756  —  To  what  place  did  the  Americans  eventually  retreat  t 

757  —  What  intelligence  was  received  from  St.  Leger 1 

758  184  What  was  the  effect  of  the  American  proclamation  ? 

759  _  Whither  did  Bnrgoyne  despatch  Baum  ? 

760  —  Who  commanded  the  American  militia? 

761  —  Which  gained  the  victory  on  the  16th  of  August  ? 
7tS    —  What  occurred  afterwards  ? 

703    —  What  was  the  effect  of  the  victory  at  Bennington? 

764  185  What  was  the  fate  of  St.  Leger's'oxpedition  ? 

765  —  Who  were  appointed  to  command  the  American  army  1 
7(3(5    —  Describe  the  first  battle  of  Stiliwater. 

767  186  Describe  the  .second. 

768  —  What  was  done  bv  general  <V,1ughan  ? 

769  —  To  what  place  did  Burgoyne  retreat  ? 

770  187  When  did  he  surrender  ? 

771  188  Describe  the  battle  of  Germantown. 

772  —  State  the  result  of  the  assault  upon  Red  Bank  und  upon  fort  Mif- 

flin. 

773  —  Where  did  Washington's  army' pass  the  winter"? 

CHAPTER  XX. 

774  189  When  was  the  Confederation  adopted'? 

775  — What  powers  did  it  confer  on  Congress  1 
'776    —  What  right  did  the  states  reserve  ? 

777  —  Who  was  appointed  inspector  general  ? 

778  190  What  treaties  were  made  with  France? 

779  —  What  act  was  passed  by  th<-  British  parliament? 

780  —  State  what  took  place  between  the  commissioners  and  Joseph  Read* 

781  —  What  course  did  Great  Britain  pursue  1 

782  191  When  did  the  British  army  quit  PhihuMphia  ? 

783  —  Did  a  battie  take  place  soon  after  ?     Where  ? 

784  —  Who  commanded  the  Americans  1 
'785    —  What  was  the  result  of  the  battle  ? 

78f>    —  What  charges  were  made  against  Lee  ? 

787    —  What  was  his  sentence  ? 

78H  192  What  assistance  arrived  from  France  ? 

789  —  What  enterprise  was  then  projected'? 

790  —  Who  commanded  the  American  troops? 

791  —  What  occurred  at  sea  ? 

792  —  What  was  Sullivan  compelled  to  do  ? 
79:i  193'What  towns  were  attacked  and  ravaged  ? 

794  —  Relate  what  occurred  at  I'appan 

795  — -"How  and  where  did  Washington's  army  pirns  the  winter? 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

796  194  Bv  what  Was  the  campaign  of  1779  distinguiehed  7 
TV/         What  expedition  sailed  from  New  York  f 

798  —  Waal  did  the  enemy  effect  in  Georgia  ? 

799  —  Who  took  command  in  the  southern  department'1 

800  —What  occurred  at  Savannah  ? 

«01  195'What  other  expedition  sai4cd  from  New  York  ? 

27 


1*  QUESTIONS. 

O*.  PS. 

802  —  What  did  it  accomplish  ? 

803  —  What  expedition  did  Clark  undertake  ? 

804  —  What  was  his  success  ? 

&j*   —  What  w.erq  the  purpose  and  success  of  Sullivan's  expedition? 
80i  i  li)(3  What,  towns  were  burnt  in  Connecticut  ? 

807  —  What  exploit  was  performed  hv  gencni!  Wayne? 

808  —  What  naval  battle  was  fouffht'in  September .  ? 
&)9  197  Where  did  the  northern  army  pass  the  winter  ? 
810    —  Were  their  sufferings  great  1 

$11    —  How  inuch  paper,  money  had  bee.n  issued  1 

812    —  How  much  had  it  depreciated  ? 

Si3-  —  What  new  mode  was  adopted  to  supply  the  army? 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

#M  198  What  place  did  the  enemy  besiege  in  the  spring? 

815  —  Who  were  the  opposing  commanders? 

816  199  What  was  the  event  of  the  siege  ? 

?17     —  What  exploit  did  colqnel  Tarleton  perform  ? 

818    —  What  con.iuct  of  general  Clinton  excited  indignation? 

859  200  What  service  did  Sampler  render? 

820  —  Who  led  an  army  from  the  north  ? 

82 1  —  Describe  the  battle  near  Carnoen. 
fc£'201  What  occurred  at  the  Catawbn  ford  ? 

823  —  What  conduct  did  Cornwallis  adopt? 

824  —  Who  was  a  successful  leader  of  the  patriots  ? 

825  —  Who  was  appointed  commander  of  the  tories  ? 
82K  202  Where  was  he  posted  ?> 

827  —  Hv  whom  was  he  attacked,  and  what  was  the  result  ? 

£28  —  Who  was  appointed  to  succeed  Gates? 

829  —  Whore  was  the  northern  array  posted  ? 

830  —  What  were  their  sufferings  and  conduct  ? 
8,31  —  What  squadron  and  troops  arrived  in  July  ? 

832  203  What  project  was  disconcerted  ?    How  '.' 

833  —  What  disaffected  Arnold  ? 
£',M    —  What  plot  did  he  meditate  ? 

833    —  With  whom  had  lie  an  interview  ? 

8?b'    —  Relate  the  circumstances,  of  Andre's  capture. 

837  204  What  was  his  conduct  1     What  his  fate  ? 

838  2&>  How  much  did  Arnold  receive  ? 
83i>    —  Wiiat  occurred  at,  Morristown  1 

8<JO    —  What  were  the  .cop  plaints  of  the  soldiers  1 
84!  20fi  How  was  the  mutiny  appeased? 
842   —  Whai  did  the  elates  do  ? 

CHAPTER  xxrn. 

P43  20R  What  project  was  resumed  in  the  spring  of  1781  ? 

844    —  What  delayed  its  accomplishment? 

8^ .r>  207  \yiiat  commander  fought  the  battle  of  the  Cov/pens  ? 

£10    —  Whai  was  the  result  ? 

847    —  What  did  Cornwallis  attempt  ? 

8-ir5    —  Wii:»l  occurred  on  the  retreat  1 

8-19  208  Describe  the  engagement  between  Lee  and  the  torios. 

850  209  Give  an  iccount  of  the  battle  at  Guilford  eouri-house, 

851  —  Where  did  Greene  hah  ? 

8.^2    —  Whither,  did  Cornwallis  proceed  ? 

8o3    —  Which  was  victorious  at  Hobkirk's  hill? 

854    —  What  posts  wore  captured  in  South  Carolina  ? 

£55  210  What  was  list) .e,ve.a'fc  of  the  siege  of  Ninety-Six  t  • 


QUESTIONS. 

Qs.P?. 

856  211  Describe  the  battle,  of  Eutaw 

857  —  To  what'plaCe  did  Cornwallis  repair  7 

858  —  Why  was  he  recalled  to  the  sea-board  7 

859  212  What  posts  did  he  fortify  ? 

860  —  What  did  Washington  determine  to  do  7 

861  —  What  expedition  did  Clinton  despatch  7 

862  —  What  did  it  accomplish  ? 

863  213  Wiiat  news  did  Washington  receive  at  Chester  1 

864  —  Of  how  many  troops  did  the  allied  forces  consist  1 
805    —  When  was  the  cannonade  begun;? 

866  214  What  occurred  during  the  siege  1 

867  — When  did  Cornwallis  surrender  ? 

868  —  What  was  the  number  of  prisoners  ? 

869  —  What  emotions  did  this  victory  produce  in  America  ? 

870  215  What  were  the  feelings  of  the  British  nation  7 

871  —What  of  the  king? 

872  —  What  opinion  did  the  house  6f  commons  exptess! 

873  —  When  were  pacific  overtures  made  ? 

874  —  When  did  hostilities  cease  ? 

875  —  Who^vere  the  Americ.-in  ministers  1 

876  216  Who  was  the  British  minister  ? 

877  —  When  was  the  definitive  treaty  signed  ? 

878  217  Why  were  the  American  troops  dissatisfied  t 
878    —  What  occurred  at  Newburgh  ? 

880  —  When  was  the  army  disbanded  ? 

881  218  When  was  New  York  evacuated  ? 

882  —  When  did  Washington  resign  his  commission  7 

883  —  To  what  place  did  he  retire  ? 


,  CHAPTER  XXIV. 

884  218  What  was  the  state  of  the  country  at  the  close  of  the  war  7 

885  —  How  much  had  national  securities  depreciated? 

886  —  What  prevented  the  prosperity  of  commerce  7 

887  219  What  occurred  in  Massachusetts-? 

888  —  What  was  the  result  of  the  meeting  at  Annapfclis  1 

889  220  What  resolution  did  Congress  adopt  7 

890  —  When  did  the  convention  meet  7 

891  —  Who  was  chosen  president  of  it  1 

892  —  Did  they  agree  upon  a  constitution^ 

893  —  In  what  does  this  constitution  difi'er  from  the  articles  of  soofode- 

ration  7 

894  —  What  is  said  o'the  members  of  the  house  7 

895  —  What  of  the  senators  7 
89H    —  What  of  the  president  7 

897  221  What  of  the  vice-president  7 

898  —  What  is  required  in  passing  a  law  7 

P99    —  What  powers  are  conferred  on  Congress  7 

iXX)    —  What  is  snid  of  the  judicial  department  ? 

901    —  What  objections  were  made  to  the  Constitution  7 

902222  By  what  names  were  its  friends  and  opposers  styled  f 

903    —  By  how  many  states  was  it  ratified  ? 

804    —  Who  was  elected  first  president  7     Who  vice-president  t 

»!.*)    —  When  was  the  president  inaugurated  7 

SOfi  223  What  duties  were  laid  ? 

907  —  What  departments  were  established  7 

908  —  Who  were  appointed  secretaries  ? 
i«OU    —  What  tour  did  the  president  make  7 

910  224  What  did  Hamilton  recommend  7 

911  —  For  \VJ»A:  reasvaa  waa  ma  recoicrarettletion  opnoadd  t 


!8  QUESTIONS. 

Qs.Pg 

9: 2  2&  Wa  s  it  adopted  ?    What  was  the  amount  of  debt  funded  ! 

913  225  Why  were  u»e  duties  on  distilled  spirits  proposed  7 

914  —  When  were  they  laid  7 

915  —  When  was  the  bank  incorporated  7 

916  —  When  did  North  Carolina  adopt  the  constitution? 

917  —  When  did  Rhode  Island  1 

918  —  Where  is  Vermont  situated  7 

919  —  Bv  what  states  had  the  territory  been  claimed  7 

920  —  What  did  the  inhabitants  do  in  1777  1 

921  —  In  what  year  was  Vermont  admitted  into  the  Union  t 

922  —  When  was  Kentucky  admitted  7 

923  22l>  When  was  the  first  census  completed  1 
924.  -»-  What  was  the  number  of  inhabitants  7 
925'  -T  How  many  were  slaves  1 

92(5  —  State  the  amount  of  the  revenue,  imports,  and  exports. 

927  —  WJien  was  the  war  willi  the  Creeks  terminated  7 

928  —  Wrth  what  tribes  did  war  still  exist  7 

929  —  Who  commanded  the  troops  sent  against  them  7 

930  —  State  the  circumstances  and  result  of  the  battle. 

931  227  Who  were  next  elected  president  and  vice-president  ? 

932  —  What  occurred  in  France,  at- this  period  1 

933  228  What  were  the  feelings  of  the  Americans  and  French  t 

934  —  Who  was  ap pointed  minuter  to  tiie  United  States  7 

935  —  What  authority,  did  he  assume  7 
935  229  What  course  did  the  president  take  7 

931    —  Who  was  appointed  to  succeed  St.  Clair  7 

938  230  Was  he  successful  7 

939  —  When  and  where  did  be  conclude  a  treaty  7 

940  —  What  produced  discontent  in  Pennsylvania  7 

941  —  What  meeting  was  held  at  Pittsburgh  7 
94223!  What  measure  did  the  president  adopt  7 
943    —  Was  the  insurrection  suppressed  7 

(|_I4    —  What  difficulties  existed  with  England  7 

945    —  When  did  Mr.  Jay  conclude  a  treaty  7 

940  232  What  appeared  to  be  nublic  sentiment  in  relation  to  it  1 

947    —  Did  the  president  ratify  it  7 

1)48    —  What  had  been  the  conduct  of  Spain  7 

$H9    —  What  did  she  deny  to  the  western  people  7 

950  233  When  was  a  treaty  with  her  concluded  7 

951  —  WUat  privilege  did  it  secure  7 

952  —  When  was  a  treaty  concluded  with  Algiers  7 

953  —  When  did  Mr.  Jefferson  resign  7 

954  234  Wien  did  Hamilton  7     When  did  Knox  7 

955  —  What  was  the  conduct  of  Fauchet  7 
950  235  Wlip-  was  ^pointed  minister  to  France  7 

957  —  Wii-at  did  France  wish  7 

958  —  What  measures  did  she  adopt  7 

$59    —  Who  was  appointed  minister  to  France  in  17961 

960  23G  What,  determination  did  Washington  form  7 

961  —  State  the  substance  of  his  farewell  address.^ 

9^2    —  Who  were  brought  forward  as  candidates  for  the  presidency  I 

963  —  Who  were  chosen  president  and  vice-president  7 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

964  237  What  was  the  purport  of  the  despatches  received  from  FriuMt 

965  —  What  laws  were  passed  7 

960    —  Who  were  appointed  envoys  to  Franjw  7 
967    —  What  was  the'  conduct  of  the  Directly  7 

966  233  What  was  dpnc  by  Congress  7 


QUESTIONS.  19 

Qs.Pg., 
:K>9  2^18  Who  was  appointed  to  command  the  army  1 

970  —  What  naval  battles  were  fought  1 

971  —  When  was  peace  concluded  ? 

972  —  When  did  Washington  die  1 

973  —  What  were  the  proceedings  of  the  house  ? 
974239  What  ofthe  seriate? 

975  240  When  did  Congress  first  meet  at  Washington  ? 

976  —  Who  were  the  candidates  for  president  and  vice-president 

977  —  How  was  the  choice  made  ? 

978  —  Who  were  elected  ? 

979  —  What  causes  rendered  Mr.  Adams  unpopular  ? 

980  ?41  What  was  done  at  the  next  session  of  Congress  ? 

981  —  When  was  the  second  census  taken  ? 

982  —  What  was  the  number  of  inhabitants  ? 

983  —  How  much  had  it  increased  in  ten  years  1 

984  —  How  much  had  the  exports  increased  ? 

985  —  How  much  the  revenue  T 

986  —  To  what  should  this  prosperity  be  attributed  T 

987  -r-.When  was  Ohio  admitted'? 

988  —  When  was  the  right  of  deposit  at.  New  Orleans  prohibited  I 

989  —  What  proposition  was  made  in  Congress  ? 

990  —  What  course  was  adopted  1 

991  242  What  was  the  price  paid  for  Louisiana  ? 

992  —  Bv  whom  and  when  was  Louisiana  discovered  ? 

993  —  When  ceded  to  Spain  ? 

994  —  Whea  retroceded  to  France  1 

995  —  What  were  the  inhabitants  1 

9%    —  What  occurred  in  the  harbor  of  Tripoli  ? 

997  —  What  exploit  did  lieutenant  Decatur  perform  1 

998  243  What  project  did  general  Eaton  undertake  ? 

999  —  Describe  his  route. 

JOOO    —  When  did  he  arrive  at  Derne  ? 

1001  244  What  ensued  at  that  city  I 

J002    —  What  arrangement  was  made  ? 

1H03    —  Relate  what  occurred  iu  New  York,  in  1804. 

1004  —  WTho  were  chosen  president  and  vice-president  in  1804  ? 

1005  245  Of  what  was  Burr  suspected  in  1806  ? 

1006  —  Was  he  apprehended  7 

1007  —  When  and  where  was  he  tried  ? 
1C08    —  What  was  the  verdict  of  the  jury  ? 

1009  —  What  was  tiie  state  of  Europe  at  this  period  ? 

1010  246  What  advantage  did  America  derive  ? 

1011  —  What  right  did  Great  Britain  claim  ? 

1012  —  What  aggressions  were  committed  by  British  cruizers  7 

1013  —  State  thVpurport  of  the  British  orders,  dated  in  1806. 

1014  247  What  decree  was  issued  at  Berlin  1 

1015  —  What  was  the  effect  of  these  measures  ? 

1016  —  What  event  occurred  in  June,  1807  ? 

1017  —  What  measure."  did  the  president  adopt  ? 

1018  —  What  course  did  the  British  government  take  1 
10_!9  248  What  important  law  was  enacted  ? 

1020  —  What  measures  were  adopted  by  Great  Britain  1 

1021  —  What  by  Bonaparte  1 

1022  —  What  effect  had  the  embargo  upon  the  people  of  Now  England  f 

1023  249  Mr.  Jefferson  declining,  who  was  elected  president  ? 

1024  — Who  vice-president? 

1025  —  What  law  was  substituted  for  the  embargo  ? 
102fi    —  What  arrangement  was  made  with  Erskine  ? 

1027  —  Was  it  ratified  by  Great  Britain  ? 

1028  250  Did  Great  Britain  persist  in  her  unfriendly  conduct  7 

1029  250  What  occurred  on  the  coasts  of  Virginia? 

1030  —  What  did  Mr,  Foster  propose  ? 

27* 


90  QUESTIONS. 

jl>3*  251  •' How  many  vesstis   naa   oeen   caoturod   since  18KJ.  b*   British 

cruibers  i 

1032  —  What  did  the  president  recommend  7 

1033  —  What  laws  were  enacted  7 

1034  —  Relate  what  occurred  at  Tippecanoe. 

1035  252  What  was  the  object  of  John  Henry's  mission  7 

1036  —  Did  he  meet  with  any  success  7 

1037  —  When  was  war  declared  7 

1038  —  For  what  reasons  was  it  condemned  7 


CHAFPER  XXVI. 

1039  253  Who  was  appointed  commander-in-chief  7 

1040  —  WThat  other  generals  were  appointed  7 

1041  —  When  did  Hull  invade  Canada  7 

1042  254  What  events  occurred  in  that  quarter  7 

1043  —  Who  led  an  expedition  towards  the  territory  of  Michigan  7 

1044  255  For  what  purpose  was  an  army  assembled  on  the  frontier  7 

1045  —  Who  commanded  this  afniy  7 

1046  —  What  post  was  assaulted  7     With  what  success  7 

1047  250  Who  succeeded  Van  Rensselaer  7 

1048  —  What  abortive  attempts  did  he  make  7 

1049  —  What  was  done  by  general  Dearborn  7 

1050  257  Describe  the  battle  between  the  Constitution  and  Guerriere. 

1051  258  What  other  naval  victories  were  gained  7 

1052  —  What  was  the  number  of  prizes  made  during  the  first  seven  rnontfn 

of  the  war  7 

1053  259  Who  were  elected  president  and  vice  president  in  18127 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

1054  259  What  terms  were  offered  to  the  British  government  7 

1055  —  Why  were  the  propositions  of  Great 'Britain  rejected  7 

1056  —  What  measures  did  Congress  adopt  7 

1057  200  What  took  place  at  Frcnchtown  7 

1058  261  To  what  place  did  Harrison  march  7 

1059  —  By  whom  was  fort  Meigs  invested  7 

1060  —  What  did  general  Clay  attempt  7 

1061  _  What  success  did  he  meet  with  7 

1062  —  How  die!  the  siege  terminate  7 

1063  —  Describe  the  attack  upon  York. 

1064  262  What  general  was  killed  there  7 

1065  —  What  fort  was  next  attacked  7 

1066  —  What  generals  were  made  prisoners  at  Stony  ctoek  1 

1067  —  What  other  misfortune  followed  7 

1068  263  What  poet  was  auacked  by  the  British  7 

1069  —  Who  commanded  there  7 

1070  —  What  was  the  event  of  the  attack  7 

1071  —  What  occurred  on  the  sea-coa?t  7 

1072  264  Describe  the  naval  action  fought  February  23d. 

1073  —  Describe  the  action  between  the  Chesapeake  and  gfhannoo. 

1074  265  What  were  the  last  words  of  Lawrence  7 

1075  —  He  v  was  the  victory  received  in  England  7 

1076  —  Wnat  other  contests  took  place  at  sea  7 

1077  266  Describe  the  affair  at  fort  Stevenson. 

1078  —  What  present  did  colonel  Croghan  receive  7 

1079  —  Who  were  the  lespective  commanders  on  lake  Eriel 
iUrtf)  267  What  words  were'inscribed  on  Perry's  flag  7 


QUESTIONS.  «1 

Q.S.  Pg. 

1081  267'Relate  the  events  of  the  bauJe. 

1082  —'Recite  Perry's  letter  to  Harrison 

1083  —  What  did  Harrison  effect? 

J084  268  Who  was  appointed  to  command  the  army  of  the  centre  t 

1085    —  What  orders  did  he  receive  '.' 

108(5    —  What  occurred  while  descending  the  St.  Lawrence  1 

1087  —  Why  was  the  project  abandoned  ? 

1088  269  What  offer  was  made  by  the  emperor  of  Russia  ? 

1089  —  Who  were  appointed  commissioners  ? 
101)0    —  What  laws  were  passed  by  Congress  ? 

1091  —  What  spirit  was  displayed  by  ilie  southern  Indians  "? 

1092  270  What  occurred  at  fort  Mimms  ? 

1093  — Describe  the  battle  at  Tuliubhatchie ;  at  Tailadega ;  at  Emuck- 

faw  ;  at  Tohopeka. 

1094  271  What  occurred  at  the  Hickory  ground  7 

1095  —  Recite  Wetherford's  speech. 


CHAPTER  XX VI II. 

1096  272  What  bounty  was  offered  to  recruits  ? 

1097  —  What  communication  was  received  from  Great.  Britain  1 

1098  —  Wan  the  proposition  accepted  ? 

J099    —  Who  were  appointed  additior.nl  commbsionere  1 

1100    —  What  occurred  at  the  river  La  Cole'] 

1J01    —  Who  was  appointed  to  succeed  Wilkinson  ? 

1102  —  What  events  had  recently  -occurred  in  'Europe  ? 

1103  —  How  were  these  events  iiftvaritageoUa  to  Great  Britain  1 
1J04  273  Which  party  was  victorious  at  Clnppcwa  ? 

1105  —  Relate  the  events  cfthe  battle  of  Bridgewa'ter. 

1106  274  What,  step  did  general  Ripiey  take  ? 

1107  —  Bv  how  many  troops  was  fort  Erie  invested  ? 

1108  —  What  was  the  event  of  the  assault  made  by  the  enemy  ? 

1109  —  What  ofthe  sortie  made  by  the  besieged  ? 
1110275  When  was  the  sic*e  abandoned  ? 

Ill  I  —  When  did  general "ixard  arrive  from  Plattsburgh  1 

1112  —  What  expeditions  proceeded  from  Canada? 

1113  —  What  was  the  object  of  each  ? 

1114  —  What  took  place  at  the  ford  ? 

1115  276  What  was  the  result  ofthe  batlle  on  the  lake  1 

11 10  —  What  did  the  British  army  then  do  ? 
1117    —  What  actions  occurred  at  sea  ? 

1158  277  Where  were  great  exertions  made  for  defence  7 

1119  —  When  did  the  main  body  ofthe  enemy  land  ? 

1120  —  Where  did  the  Americans  make  a  stand  ? 

1121  —  What  occurred  there  ? 

1122  —  Whither  did  general  Winder  retreat  1 

1123  —  When  did  the  enemy  enter  Washington  1 

1124  278  What  was  their  conduct  there  ? 

1125  —  What  took  place  at  Alexandria  ? 

1126  —  What  did  Ross  next  undertake  ? 

1127  —  What  was  his  fate  ? 

1128  279  How  was  the  fleet  received  ? 

1129  —  What  was  the  event  of  this  expedition  ? 

11  ISO    —  When  did  the  convention  meet,  at  Hartford  1 

J131    —  What  was  enumerated  and  proposed  in  their  addrect  ? 

1132  280  What  information  was  received  from  Ghent  ? 

1133  —  What  measures  did  Congress  adopt  ? 

1134  —  Who  performed  the  d  litres  of  secretary  of  war? 
1)35  —  Who  was  appointed  secretary  ofthe  treasury  1 
1136  —  What  force  arrived  at  Pensacola  ? 


8  QUESTIONS. 

Q«.P* 

Ii:r7  'J80  What  was  it  permitted  to  do  1 

31  ;y    —  What  did  general  Jackson  do  ? 

11M9    —  What  information  did  he  receive  at  Mobile  1 

3  MO    —-What  step  did  IK:  then  take  ? 

1141    —  What  did  he  find  the  condition  of  New  Orleans  ?  • 

314-2  281  What  was  his  conduct  ? 

114:j    —  Where  did  the  enemy  take  a  position,  December  22d*> 

3144  —  What  occurred  in  the  evening  of  the  23d  ? 

3145  282  Where  did  Jackson  erect  fortifications  ? 

1  !4(i    —  Were  these,  assaulted  1     With  what  success  ? 
1147    —  When  was  the  last  assault  made  ?     Describe  it. 
3148    —  What  was  the  amount  of  loss  on  each  side  ? 
II 49  2815  What  took  place  on  the  west  si.de  of  the  river  ? 
1  i.r>0    —  What  course  did  general  Lambert  then  take  ? 

1151  —  When  was  peace  concluded  ? 

1152  —  What  were  the  provisions  of  the  treaty  ? 

1153  —  What  victories  were  achieved  at  sea? 


APPENDIX. 

1154  284  By  what  was  the  era  of  the  settlement  of  this  country  distin 
guished  ? 

31f>5    —  What  distinguished  the  country  whence  the  settlers  camo  ? 

lir»b'    —  To  what  class  did  they  belong  1 

J157    —  What  powerful  establishments  existed  in  Europe  ? 

3158    —  What  conduct  did  they  pursue  ? 

1  !."i9    —  Were  these  establishments  transferred  to  America  ? 

JlftO  28o  What  doctrine  prevailed  in  Europe  ? 

JK51    —  What  was  the  nature  and  consequence  of  this  doctrine  ? 

]  Uv2    —  What  is  meant  bv  the  law  of  primogeniture  1 

1103    —  What  was  the  operation  of  this  law  1 

1  U14    —  Does  this  doctrine,  or  this  !nw,  exist  in  the  United  States  ? 

1165    —  What  is  said  of  the  systems  of  government  established  in  the 
colonies  ? 

1106  28G  In  what  is  the  contrast  greatest  between  the  European  and  Ame 
rican  systems  of  government  ? 

11G7    —  What  does    the  military  peace  establishment   of  Great  Britain 
cost? 

1108    _  What  that  of  the  United  States  ? 

3109    —  What  the  respective  naval  establishments  ? 

1170    —  What  do  .British  subjects  pay  inviduaily  in  taxes  ? 

3171    —  What  do  those  of  the  United  States  pay  ? 

1172    —  In  wh:«t  pursuits  are  the  greatest  portion  of  ths  inhabitants 
paged  ? 

3173    T-  What  is  produced  in  the  northern  states  ? 

1174  —  What  in  the  middle  arid  western  ? 

1175  —  What  in  the  southern  ? 

1176  —  What  number  was  engaged  in  agriculture  in  1820? 

1177  -T-  What  value  of  agricultural  products  was  exported  ? 
]pa    __  State  the  value  of  the  principal  articles. 

117V  2b7  What  circumstances  contributed  to  the  prosperity  of  commerce  7 
1J80    —  State  the  increase  of  our  tonnage  and  revenue. 

1181  —  How  many  were  engaged  in  commerce  in  1820? 

1182  —  What  was  the  amount  of  exports  and  imports  in  1823? 

1183  —What  in  1807? 

3.184    —  Why  has  commerce  cteclhied  ? 

1185   —  How  early  did  the  cod  fishery  on  the  American  coast  attract  at 
tention  7, 


. 


QUESTIONS.  »J 

Qn  P» 

Uet>  i&8  How  rnanv  shins  and   seamen  did  the   Ffomih  *?»np?ov  »n    j|  in 
J744  '< 

1187  —  What  quantity  o,f  fish  did  they  take  ? 

1188  —  In  1760,  how  many  vessels  were  fitted  out  from  the  potts  of  New 

England? 

1189  —  How  many  seamen  were  employed  ? 

1190  —  What  is  said  in  relation  to  the  negotiation  of  the  p«ace  of  17837 

1191  —  What  estimate  has  been  made  in  relation  to  these  fisheries  * 

1192  — What  was  their  annual  value? 

1193  —  Why  important  to  the  nation  * 

1194  _  What  is  said  of  the  whale  fishery  ? 

1195  289  State  the  value  of  the  products  of  this  fishery  exported  in  1807. 

In  1823. 

1196  —  Recite  the  extracts  from  Burko's  speech. 

1197  —  What  is  said  of  manufactures  1 

1198290  What  gave  the  first  impulse  to  this  branch  of  industry  T 

1199  —    What  was  the  amount  of  manufactures  in  1814  ? 

1200  —  Which  are  the  principal  manufacturing  states? 

1201  —  Which  the  principal  manufactures  ? 

1202  —  How  many  were  engaged  in  manufactures  in  1H2Q1 

1203  291  What  was  the  amount  of  the  debt  in  17JO  ? 

1204  —What  in  1812? 

3205    —  How  much  was  contracted  in  the  last  war  ? 

1206  --  What  wan  the  amount  in  1823? 

1207  —  From  what  is  the  revenue  principally  derived? 

1208  —  In  1822,  how  much  accrued  from  commerce,  1 

1209  — How  much   from   the  sale   of   lands?     H<.w  much    from  othor 

sources  ? 

1210  —  What  was  the  amount  of  expenditures  in  V822? 

1211  —  What  was  the  excess  of  revei.ue  over  exr  ;nditures  ? 

1212  —  What  course  has  been  pursued  in  Europe,  in  relation  to  educa- 
I  tion  ? 

1213  _  What  in  the  United  States  ? 

1214  292  What  law  was  passed  in  1647  in  relation  to  schools  ? 

1215  —  What  was  done  when  the  inhabitants  increased  ? 

1216  —  What  is  the  amount  of  the  school  fund  in  Connecticut  t 

1217  —  How  is  the  interest  appropriated  ? 

1218  —  What  has  been  the  eflect  of  this  system  ? 

1219  —  What  is  the  amount  of  the  sclwal  fund  in  New  York  ? 

1220  —  How  is  the  interest  appropriated  ? 

1221  —  How  many  scholars  were  taught  there  in  1823  ? 

1222  —  What  is  said  of  education  in  Virginia  ? 

1223  293  What  has  the  natiwnal  government  done  in  relation  to  educa 

tion'? 

1224  —  What  is  said  of  academies  ? 

3225    —  When  was  Harvard  College  founded  ?     Where  *? 

1226  —  How  many  volumes  does  the  library  contain  ? 

1227  —  When  was  Yale  College  founded  ? 
1228294  Where  is  it  established  1 

1229    —  How  manj  volumes  does  its  libraries  contain  ? 
12MO    —  How  many  other  colleges  are  there  in  the  Union  ? 

1231  —  What  are  taught  in  ail  ? 

1232  —  What  in  addition  are  taught  in  some  of  them  ? 

1233  —  What  remark  has  been  made  of  the  United  States  T 

1234  —IK  it  just? 

1235  —  What  direction  hns  been  given  to  talents  in  the  United  States? 

1236  295  What  celebrated  inventors  may  America  boast  of? 

1237  —  Who  are  her  eminent  historians  ?    Theological  writers  ? 

1238  —  What  political  writings  are  spoken  of? 

1239  —  What  is  said  of  American  painters? 

1240  206  Where  are  Congregutionalists  most  numerous  1 


fi  QUESTIONS. 

JS441  296  Where  Presbyterians  7    Where  Methodists  7    Where  'Roman  C 
tholics  7  •• . 

1242  —  What  are  the  distinguishing  traits  of  the  American  character  7 

1243  —  What  is  said  of  the  manners  of  Americana  7 

1244  297  How  often  does  the  population  of  the  United  States  double  ? 

1245  —  How  often  that  of  Great  Britain  7 

1246  —  Has  the  augmentation  of  wealth  and  power  heen  as  rapid  7 

1247  —  What  circumstances  indicate  that  the  United  States  will  c«nti»u 

to  prosper  7 
1348  293  Yet  on  what  doea  their  prosperity  depend  7 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

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T\  !  I  D  I  II  '  f* 

SUMMER 

V  :;  ',    . 

JUL     61959 

jUL     6  RECD 

V  TA  04035 


790483 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


